Tomorrow evening, a new photography exhibition is opening up at the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott St.): Panama–Pacific 1915 World’s Fair, which honors the centennial of the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition, which celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal. It was held in San Francisco a mere nine years after the devastating 1906 earthquake, and served as an emblem of the city's recovery. (The Panama-Pacific Exhibition is also the subject of the current exhibit at the de Young Museum, Jewel City.)

Photo: SFMTA

The Milk Center's collection of historical photos, sourced from the SFMTA Photo Archives, Moulin Studios (an archival photo organization) and the San Francisco History Center at the San Francisco Public Library, offers a rare glimpse into the workings of the fair. These photo archives are open to the public, but the shots are rarely exhibited. Many of the images from the SFMTA archives, for example, come from glass-plate negatives that are stored in a temperature-controlled room in the basement of the SFMTA building. The photos for the exhibit were curated by Harvey Milk Photo Center director Dave Christensen.

Photo: Moulin Studios

The majority of the structures constructed for the Fair were temporary, made of burlap and plaster. Many were destroyed in late 1915, after the celebrations were over. A few famous landmarks, such as the Palace of Fine Arts, have remained—but to really experience the scale of the event, one has to see the photos.

Harvey Milk Photo Center features a show in its free gallery space every month or two. Past exhibitions have included a show curated by drag personality Peaches Christ, a group show of Paris street photography, collections of Maori culture, and photos of the San Francisco Bay.

The Photo Center is currently fundraising for new lights for its gallery. "Updating our lighting system would greatly improve the visibility of our exhibits while creating a better gallery environment for all to enjoy," the Center says. Donations for the upgrade can be made online. 

The opening event for Panama-Pacific 1915 World's Fair will take place tomorrow, November 12th, from 4-9pm. If you can't make the opening, the gallery is open from 4-9pm Tuesday through Thursday, and 12-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. The exhibit will run through December 23rd.