Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The 1982 World's Fair Walking Tour

International Pavilions

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 22, 2022

1. The 1982 World's Fair Walking Tour Marker

Inscription. This northwestern part of the Fair site was reserved for multiple international pavilions, including those of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, West Germany, and Mexico, arranged down a long corridor. Especially memorable was that of the Philippines, which featured a restaurant on a veranda overlooking Second Creek and a colorful charcoal-powered bus. President Ferdinand Marcos and first lady Imelda liked to visit.

The Hungary pavilion featured large rotating models of the already popular Rubik's Cube and an extended visit from its inventor, Erno Rubik. A large Rubik's Cube from the pavilion is on display at the Knoxville Convention Center. The European Economic Community pavilion puzzled many, but is notable today as the first world's fair pavilion ever hosted by the entity later known as the European Union. The Japan pavilion featured a thrilling "bullet- train" experience and a painting robot.

In 1990, the Japan pavilion's location became the site of the Knoxville Museum of Art. The Museum, with its Tennessee pink marble exteriors, was designed by well-known museum architect Edward Larrabee Barnes.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.

Location. 35° 57.77′ N, 83° 55.549′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is on Worlds Fair Park Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1027 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville TN 37916, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: World's Fair Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Memorial to Vietnam Veterans of East Tennessee (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 22, 2022

2. The 1982 World's Fair Walking Tour Marker

The 1982 World's Fair Walking Tour (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The 1982 World's Fair Walking Tour (about 500 feet away); Will Henry Stevens (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named The 1982 World's Fair Walking Tour (approx. 0.2 miles away); Beauford Delaney (approx. 0.2 miles away); Civil War Hospital (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

The 1982 World's Fair Rubik's Cube image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 22, 2022

3. The 1982 World's Fair Rubik's Cube

Informational plaque about the World's Fair Rubik's Cube image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 22, 2022

4. Informational plaque about the World's Fair Rubik's Cube

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.