Unused Design Concepts on Souvenirs: The Tule Mat Pavilion

For people in Spokane, the shape of the U.S. Pavilion is iconic and unmistakable, even in silhouette or miniature. As a result, the presence of a completely different U.S. Pavilion depicted on Expo ‘74 merchandise can be quite a surprise. As with the gondolas, this alternate-universe U.S. Pavilion (sometimes called the “Federal Pavilion”) is based on an unused design from earlier concept art.

Below: Several tule mat lodge pavilion depictions on Expo ‘74 merchandise.

Although the tule mat pavilion concept appears on some bootleg merchandise, it also appeared on some items included in official souvenir packages, most notably in the “stamps.” (Although sold as stamps, these had no postal value and were simply small stickers.) The entire sheet appears to have been designed at an early phase of planning, and it relies entirely on concept art. Two of the six images are different angles of the tule mat pavilion scale model. These stickers were both sold separately and included as part of the official Expo ‘74 souvenir package.

The right row center image and bottom image are both photographs of the tule mat pavilion scale model, rather than the U.S. Pavilion that visitors would actually have seen at Expo ‘74.