Expo 67 in One Day

Only one day to visit Expo 67...? No problem!

From Expo Inside Out, a no-nonsense guide to seeing the best of Expo, in just one day:

"Take the Metro to Sainte-Héléne, arriving at 9:30am. Go immediately to the United States pavilion (you can't miss it); and get in line for the film (which includes the tour). Allow two hours, which means you should be out before 11:30.

Get in line for the U.S. pavilion first thing in the morning.

"You won't have to wait in line long if you lunch early. Try the restaurant in one of the following pavilions (all a short walk from the U.S.): Scandinavia, Austria, Switzerland, Japan. With care and luck, you will eat well for 5$ each. We'll allow you until 1pm to eat.

"An hour is plenty to take in Japan and will even give you some time to rest in its garden.

Take the time to rest in Japan's garden.

"By 2:30 you should have found your way to the theme pavilion, 'Man the Explorer'. See 'Man and the Polar Regions' and 'Man, his Planet and Space'. By 4:30, you should be out.

"Walk back towards the United States, and turn right at Cosmos Walk, the pedestrian bridge across Le Moyne Channel. (If you're tired, take a Pedicab for about 1$).

Cross Cosmos Walk, the pedestrian bridge...

... or take a Pedicab if you're tired.

"Take a good look at the U.S.S.R., but don't go in. Cross Île-Notre-Dame and turn right again, past Mexico and India to Barbados-Guyana, where we suggest you stop and have a drink (our recommendation: BIM BAM BOOM), to the accompaniment of a calypso group and macaws.

Have a drink at the Barbados-Guyana pavilion.

"By 6:00pm, you should be ready for supper in Canada's 'Tundra' restaurant, which is two buildings past the teepee of the Indians of Canada (allow 15$ for two.)

Have dinner at Canada's Tundra restaurant.

"Try not to miss the last showing of 'A place to Stand' in the Ontario Pavilion (get there by 9pm).

"We wouldn't blame you if your energy has given out, but if you're still going strong, walk over to the Minirail Station opposite the Western Provinces and take the Blue Minirail (a 45 minute ride for 50¢). Don't get off too early - you pass through some stations twice. This is the best time to take the Minirail; you see Expo lit up at night and you won't have to wait in line.

Take the Minirail at night... it's the best time.

"After that, you may want to visit the Amusement Center (La Ronde). Walk to the Expo-Express Station (Île Notre Dame) and take the Expo Express to La Ronde, at the end of Île Sainte-Hélène. From there you are at the mercy of the barkers and your own impulse to spend money.

Finish off your day at Expo 67 at La Ronde.

"To get home, use the La Ronde exit, and take a bus to the Metro (Papineau station) and you're on your way."

images: (1) montage by author
(2-3-8-9) Bill Dutfield
(4) flickr.com
(5) library and archives Canada
(6) personal collection
(7) courtesy DC Hillier

The Château Champlain Hotel

Artist's conception of the Château Champlain and surrounding area, 1965.

Designed by Quebec architects Roger D'Astous and Jean-Paul Pothier, the Château Champlain hotel was built in anticipation of the massive influx of visitors expected for Expo 67.

Located just south of Dominion Square, the 480-foot, 38-storey luxury hotel was part of the Place du Canada complex, which included a pedestrian plaza, boutiques, and an office building.

The Château Champlain was built by Canadian Pacific Hotels, a division of the Canadian Pacific Railway, at the cost of $25 million. Construction was completed in late 1966, with the official opening in the spring of 1967, just in time for Expo.

Close-up view of the hotel's top, with it's ubiquitous arched windows.

The 480-foot tower's facade included 1100 concrete panels, finished in a textured white quartz composite, with 660 of these bowed and arched to frame the Château Champlain's signature curved windows. The arched windows were intended by the designers as a visual reference to the Romanesque Revival arches of nearby historic Windsor Station.

The interior of the hotel was designed with a distinct French Canadian character, a modern blend of old and new.

The hotel's main and lower lobbies, as well as its ballroom, featured cathedral-like vaulted ceilings from which hung contemporary chandeliers. The traditional crystal ballroom, with balconies, could welcome 500 guests for a formal dinner, or 900 for dancing.

Guest rooms were U-shaped, dictated by the architecture, with an arched bay window in each room. A round breakfast table was set in the bay window which was curtained with light and airy drapery. Furniture was simplified as much as possible: a mirrored dressing area in each room provided built-in luggage and clothing storage, forgoing the need for bulky free standing units. Upholstered chairs and ottomans featured modern interpretations of traditional styles. Tasteful accessories such as cushions, lamps and paintings completed the décor.

Rooms on the east side of the hotel had an unobstructed view of Expo 67.

The office tower (right) was unfinished at the time of this photo (1966).

The Château Champlain featured 7 dining rooms and cocktail lounges:

Le Caf' Conc' was built like a turn-of-the-century theatre, recalling the heyday of French cafés-concerts. Included was a full stage, tiered parterre and box seats... adorned with gilt-framed paintings on a backdrop of lush reds, purples, and gold.

Le Café-Terrasse featured sliding doors that opened onto the pedestrian plaza during the warm months. An open kitchen served coffee, crèpes, home-made soups, etc.

Le Tournebroche, as the name suggests, served spit roasted and grilled specialties. The largest of Château Champlain's restaurants featured a décor that recalled an old-style Quebecois auberge. Bread was baked in brick ovens, while a series of alcoves along a 60-foot wall let guests observe the chefs at work. The restaurant also featured a walk-in wine cavern and a special section where cheese and sausage hung from the ceiling.

L'Escapade, the hotel's rooftop entertainment centre, offered a panoramic view of Montreal and its surroundings. 4 split-level sections were linked by vaulted archways, containing 2 à la carte restaurants, as well as a cocktail lounge and nightclub.

Le Jardin, the formal cocktail lounge, featured a winter garden with poodle cut box hedges in marble planters. Vaulted ceilings were painted with a cloud motif, and 5 French doors led to the formal dining room.

Le Neufchâtel was the Château Champlain's formal dining room, and the only area that was decorated in a purely formal manner. À la carte lunches and table d'hôte dinners were enjoyed in ornate Louis XVI style...

From left: Neighboring Mary Queen of The World Cathedral and Windsor Station.

A decorative windmill on Dominion Square contrasted with the modern hotel.

A 1966 view of from Peel Street. Till today, the hotel remains Montreal's tallest.

images: authors own, from Montreal '65 & '66 magazines

The Pavilion of Thailand

The Thai pavilion at Expo 67 was a marvel of classic Eastern architecture. Located on Île Notre Dame, Thailand sought to present an image of traditional grace and refinement, in an atmosphere of oriental beauty.

The pavilion's 2 seperate buildings, clearly illustrated by this artist's conception.

Thailand's participation at Expo 67 was composed of 2 main structures:

The first was a replica of an ornate 18th century Buddhist shrine. A pagoda-like roof was covered in gilded tiles and crowned by a tall, delicate spire. Each tile had a tiny bell suspended from it, meant to tinkle in the breeze and ward of evil spirits.

Thailand's 18th century Buddhist temple.

Inside the shrine, the atmosphere was tranquil. Tall, stained glass windows were flanked by sumptuous red draperies. Religious items, temple furniture, traditional costumes and statues were on display in this area. A magnificent altar of carved wood, adorned by precious stones, was located towards the rear of the shrine. Large pewter vases on the altar held 2 elephant tusks forming an arch from which was suspended a brass gong.

Long lineups to enter the Buddhist shrine were frequent.

The second structure of the pavilion was also of traditional architecture, yet considerably larger than the former. It housed a long hall under its gabled roof, flanked on each end by smaller versions of the intricate Buddhist shrine top. As with the temple, red, green and blue lacquer adorned the exterior, with motifs inspired by mythological symbols.

A closer look at the Thai pavilion's ornate exterior.

Despite the traditional outward appearance, the second building's interior was a tribute to modern Thailand. Remarkable works of craftsmanship were on display: decorative objects such as world-renowned Thai ceramics and porcelains, bronze and silverware, exquisite silks, teak furniture, figurines and costumed dolls, as well as exotic jewelry and precious gems.

Thai ceramics, considered some of the world's finest.

An area devoted to export products showed different kinds of rice, tapioca and corn, as well as samples of rubber, minerals, and forest products.

The pavilion's boutique offered visitors handmade jewelry, traditional dolls, ceramics, and a vast assortment of lavish Thai silks.

A Royal Barge was on display outside the pavilion.

In an adjacent pool outside the pavilion floated a replica of a Royal Barge. These vessels were traditionally used in processions of royal and religious significance.




The Thai pavilion, as photographed by Lillian Seymour.

Michèle Richard, posing in front of the Thai pavilion.

A night view of the Thai pavilion.

The Thai pavilion at Expo 67 glowed during the day and glittered at night.



images: (1-2) flickr.com
(3-5-7) Bill Dutfield
(4) gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com
(6-11) personal collection
(9-10) the Lillian Seymour collection
(12-13) courtesy DC Hillier

High Rollers

Check out these fabulous vintage roller sets from the September 1961 issue of Australian Woman's Day magazine... My favorite? The Summer Parfait...!

images: flickr.com

Julien Hébert and the Expo 67 Symbol

Julien Hébert was born in 1917 in the municipality of Rigaud. A pioneer of modern industrial design in Québec, Hébert was originally a student of philosophy before venturing into the Arts. He studied sculpture in Montreal at l'École des beaux-arts, and in Paris under famed sculptor Ossip Zadkine.

Hébert's prominent career saw him teach art history and sculpture at the École des beaux-arts and planning and design at the École du meuble. He also played a key role in establishing the École du design industriel at the Université de Montréal, where he taught as well.

In 1979, he was awarded the distinguished Prix Paul-Émile-Borduas.

Julien Hébert's most famous contribution to popular culture is arguably the design of the Expo 67 logo. In the above Radio-Canada archive, Hébert himself sheds light on the Expo planners' selection process, as well as the meaning of the now-ubiquitous symbol.

image montage by author

GQ, September 1967

From the September 1967 issue of GQ magazine:

"A male model poses in the Man in the Community pavilion at Expo 67. He wears a four-buttoned DB houndstooth blazer by Hammonton Park with square shoulders, peak lapels, straight flap pockets, and deep side vents."

photo: Leonard Nones

La Cantine

This has got to be one of my favorite new restaurants!

Opened in August 2008, La Cantine is a trip to 1970's nostalgic heaven.

Owner Pierre-Luc Chevalier says the inspiration for his retro-cool bistro stems from childhood outings to canteens with his grandparents: fond memories of orange vinyl banquettes and dishes such as hamburger steak...

La Cantine's menu is an homage to the type of down-home Québecois comfort food we all grew up with... but with a modern, chic twist.

The "Pogos" are bite sized hors d'oeuvres: little wild boar and mushroom sausages fried in beer batter, served with honey-mustard sauce. The "Pâté presque-Chinois" is a simmering casserole of mixed meats, corn, and cheesy potatoes with crispy, crusty edges (as a kid, this was always my favorite part of Shepherd's Pie...) The "Cheeseburger" platter is a mixed game patty, with goat's cheese and mushrooms, served with a raspberry vinaigrette coleslaw, and some of the most delicious french fries I've ever tasted... (their secret: the fries are battered).

La Cantine's homemade mayo is even pink, my favorite color!

Desserts are generous and equally lowbrow/highbrow... I highly recommend the pouding chômeur which features a hint of fleur de sel, for a heavenly salty/sweet taste...

La Cantine also serves brunch on weekends, available from 9am until 3pm, with clever dish names such as "Mange tes croutes!" ("Eat your crusts!")...

The restaurant's décor can only be described as "rec room chic". Reproduction 1970's wallpaper and vintage metallic objets d'arts give the restaurant its kitschy-cool ambiance. Framed collages of mid-70's catalog images can be seen throughout and have become La Cantine's trademarks. There's even an orange banquette... but this one is velvet!

A sweet next-door café/boutique sells takeout sandwiches and dishes, as well as fab locally-made products (including baguettes and pistachio croissants from Arhoma, an artisanal bakery in Montreal's Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood).

La Cantine celebrates its first anniversary this Thursday, August 6th, 2009. A special 5 à 7 is planned for the evening, with a select menu featuring the bistro's most popular dishes. Guests wearing orange (La Cantine's signature color) will be served a complimentary "Barbie Punch". An exclusive banana and chocolate dessert will finish the evening in style...

La Cantine
212 Mont-Royal E.
514-750-9800

photos: Carrie MacPherson

Fort Edmonton

Fort Edmonton-Pioneerland was situated in the La Ronde sector of Expo 67 and sponsored by the city of Edmonton, Alberta.

A view of Fort Edmonton from the Expo-Express station.

Located near La Ronde's Expo Express station, Fort Edmonton was one of the first things visitors saw as they entered the amusement area of Expo 67. Surrounded by a barrier of tree trunks, Fort Edmonton's traditional setting transported guests to the old Canadian West.

The Golden Garter saloon.

The Gold Rush days were re-created with continuous lively entertainment at the Golden Garter saloon, where leggy chorus girls could often be seen through its swing doors. A full liquor service was available at the establishment, which became "adults-only" after 6pm.

One of Fort Edmonton's daily action-packed shows.

Visitors could have their picture taken behind bars at Fort Edmonton, or have novelty newspaper headlines printed while they waited. There was also had a general store, a film and camera shop, hat and souvenir stands, and 2 restaurants... The Klondike steakhouse served barbecued and grilled specialties in an authentic frontier-style ambiance.

There was even a barber shop, where men could have their hair cut...!

The typical Gold Rush atmosphere of Fort Edmonton.

A Minirail station at Fort Edmonton took visitors to other areas of La Ronde.



One of the attractions in Fort Edmonton was the Flume ride. Passengers sat in hollow logs that floated down twisting ramps of water, ending with a climactic final plunge, leaving visitors thrilled and damp...

This water-borne roller coaster was one of La Ronde's most popular rides.

An aerial view of La Ronde's Flume ride during Expo 67.



La Ronde's Fort Edmonton still exists today, and the La Pitoune log ride is still one of the park's most beloved attractions...

images: (1) flickr.com
(2-3) the Lillian Seymour collection
(6) ebay.com
(4-5-7) library and archives Canada

Nightlife Magazine Interview

Expo Lounge (and my passion for Expo 67) are the subject of an interview appearing in the summer 2009 issue of Nightlife Magazine.

Disneyland's House of the Future

The House of the Future was an attraction that debuted in 1957 at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California. Sponsored by the Monsanto Chemical Company, the ultra-modern house was almost entirely synthetic.

Set in the year 1986, the House of the Future's 4 equal wings seemed to float above its beautifully landscaped grounds and waterfalls.

The house's designers, Marvin Goody and Richard Hamilton.

Designed by Marvin Goody and Richard Hamilton of the Goody Clancy firm in Boston, Massachusetts, the 1280 square foot structure took 2 years to develop. Originally members of the faculty or architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Goody and Hamilton were hired by Monsanto to find new markets for plastic products. They eventually formed their own private firm to take over the commercial planning of the project.

A 1966 magazine article describing Monsanto's futuristic plastic house.

The House of the Future was made from 8 prefabricated plastic modules, placed one on top of the other, forming the ceiling, floor, and wall (the remaining walls were windows). When the modules originally arrived at Disneyland for assembly, receiving clerks thought they were part of a boat!

The central core of the house contained the kitchen and bathrooms, while the four wings each contained one room. The entire structure was solidly anchored to an earthquake rated concrete foundation.

The House of the Future under construction, in early 1957.

Construction at Disneyland began on January 7, 1957, and was completed by early June. A special preview day was held on June 11, 1957, while the official public opening of the House of the Future was held the next day.

An estimated 60,000 visitors toured the House of the Future each week.

Upon entering, visitors found themselves in the dining and family room, a place where the family of the future would play, rest, and dine on stylish plastic furniture. Nearby, the Atoms for Living Kitchen awed guests with futuristic amenities such as the microwave oven.

The 2 children’s bedrooms followed, one for the boy of the future and one for the girl of the future, as well as the shared kids’ bathroom. The master bedroom and the main bathroom were next on the tour, which concluded itself in the sleek living room, featuring a giant, wall-mounted television and built-in high fidelity equipment.

The futuristic kitchen featured an ultra-sonic dishwasher.

The dining room of the future... with plastic dishes, of course!

The ultra-modern bathrooms were completely molded in plastic.

A night view of the House of the Future.

An illuminated replica, in a limited edition of 1000, produced in 1996.

The House of the Future is yet another example of the retro-futuristic aesthetic that I adore, reminding me a bit of Jacque Fresco's designs...

Vanished today, there continues to be subtle tributes to the House of the Future both at Disneyland and Walt Disney World...




images: (1) yesterland.com
(2, 4 & 11) flickr.com
(3, 5 & 6) davelandweb.com
(7, 8, 9, 10 & 12) LIFE photo archive