Seattle's SF Museum And Hall of Fame
A Fascinating Trip Through The History Of Science Fiction.
Jun 12, 2009
The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame is located at 325 Fifth Avenue North in Seattle, on the Worlds Fair grounds near the famous Space Needle. Occupying part of two floors in the unique Experience Music Project building designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Museum seeks to offer a view of science fiction not only in terms of its popular roots in television and cinema, but in terms of its literary element and its role in modern culture.
Science Fiction Hall of Fame
The Museum is divided into theme-oriented sections that examine different aspects of the science fiction experience. Entrance to the Museum takes place through the Homeworld section, which takes a broad look at the foundations of science fiction and its “what if” role in society, and lists the current roster for the Hall of Fame.
Every year, four new members are chosen for the Hall of Fame, and inducted at the annual Locus Awards ceremony. Previous inductees include such famous authors as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein, along with moviemakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek.
Spaceships, Weapons and Aliens
The main section of the Museum looks at spaceships in the Spacedock section, futuristic weapons in the Armory, and features a variety of costumes and accessories in the Spacesuits area. Computer generated vistas illustrate the future of urban life in the Cities of Tomorrow, which is contrasted by the apocalyptic visions portrayed in the Out of the Ashes section. Of course, there's a section called Them which looks at aliens and robots, and which also looks at the realities of communicating with extraterrestrials.
Displays feature not only props and costumes from movies and television, but also classic science fiction novels and artwork. For example, one of the displays features the manuscript for the 1999 novel Cryptonomicon by local science fiction author Neal Stephenson, which was written by hand in pen and ink, and is over two feet thick. More recognizable are props such as Captain Kirk’s command chair from the original Star Trek, the 1960's Lost in Space robot, and the original Death Star model from Star Wars.
The Museum has also featured special exhibitions, such as the Sigourney Weaver's power lifter and the Alien Queen from Aliens, displays of original science fiction paintings and illustrations, and costumes from Star Wars, Star Trek, Blade Runner and other famous movies and television programs.
Space Needle and EMP
The SF Museum makes for an interesting and insightful experience for adults, and a fun look at a wide range of furniture, costumes and other props for children. A tour through the Museum combines well with the similarly designed Experience Music Project and a visit to the nearby Space Needle, and, for the final SF-oriented experience, a trip downtown on the monorail.
For current ticket prices, hours and information on special events and exhibitions, visit the Science Fiction Museum web site.
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