We Can’t Manage to Get Ourselves to the Top of the Space Needle, BUT…
Hi. We’re Kent and Caanan, and we are Seattle tourism failures. The first step is admitting the truth, and we feel so much better.
So there you have it. The embarrassing truth. We’ve lived in Seattle for several years and have not been to the top of the Space Needle.
Clearly, many local activities are on hold while we have our health/vigor and, therefore, blissfully zoom around the world. Plus, in a weird sort of way, a visit to the top of the Space Needle should be pretty memorable, so we keep waiting (and waiting and waiting) for that quintessential right moment.
But… we’re not totally lame.
When we found out that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was introducing a Visitor Center, we bolted there within a week of its opening.
Ever since hearing Melinda Gates speak – at a CARE advocacy conference in Washington D.C. – we’ve been fascinated by the work that the Gates Foundation does. It all stems from this core belief:
Every life has equal value.
Truer words have never been spoken.
The foundation – in its work eliminating poverty and expanding opportunity – is all about supporting and funding organizations that are in the best position to serve that core belief. The foundation fosters, above all else, the values of: innovation, rigor, collaboration and optimism. We couldn’t wait to get down to the Gates Foundation Visitor Center to check it all out.
It’s is a large, open and inviting space that’s broken up into five areas off the main walkway you see on the right. Each area employs dynamic and thought-provoking exhibits that beautifully capture the significance of the foundation.
Voices
In this room, right at the entrance, you get a feel for the foundation members, employees, grantees and beneficiaries that make the organization come alive.
Family and Foundation
In this area, visitors have the chance to learn more about why the foundation was started and the kinds of initiatives they pursue. Here, you are also prompted to start thinking about what you would do with your own foundation. Imagine the possibilities!
Partnerships
This space, shows visitors what the foundation’s partners are doing to make progress towards a better world. The exhibits make the insurmountable seem possible.
Theater
The theater showcases a rotating selection of videos that further inspire viewers and illuminate exactly what the foundation is all about.
Innovation and Inspiration
The last section of the center is a place where you use your own skills, passion and creativity to see how you can solve problems and make a difference in the world. We had a blast toying around with the different interactive exhibits.
As world citizens, we’re all in this together. The foundation illustrates this fact via the wall of faces. Again, every visitor has the opportunity to participate.
Because we all need to do our part to build a better world, the foundation invites you to do one final thing before heading out. They provide small cards on which visitors can express what they pledge to do. In a really cool twist, visitors are also invited to take a card (from a previous visitor) that resonates.
This is one that we took. The inspiration is obvious!
Let’s build a better world! what would YOU say on your card? What do you pledge to do? Let us know in the comments (or in an e-mail), and we’ll put a card up for you at the Gates Foundation Visitor Center.
Love the spirit of this place (and the foundation, of course). Great pic of you two.
Swing by Seattle, and we’ll go for a visit.
Love that idea with the cards!! And everything about this place. I had no idea the Foundation had a center like this. Btw I lived in NYC for five years and have never been to the top of the Empire State Building. I have, however, been to the top of the Stratosphere (way) more than a dozen times, thanks to my obsession with thrill rides!
Yes, the “leave a card, take a card” idea is a really cool end to the experience. What would your card say?
Your NYC story makes us feel better about not having been to the top of the Space Needle (and it makes me want to get to the top of the Empire State Building).
Love this! I pledge to spread awareness and happiness to all that I met and bring back joy and love from where ever I go.
That’s awesome, Jade. We’ll put it on a card and bring it to the Visitor Center.
I had no idea that this visitors centre existed. But what a great idea! I have so much respect for the work that the Gates do.
We didn’t know their new campus was going to include a space like this. Trust us… carve out some time for a visit and you’ll be even more impressed by their work.
My card would say….. “Love is all we need” and of course I would credit John for that one.
I pledge to spread love and kindness to all.
Sounds perfect. We’ll bring in a card for you, Meg.
Nonsense, there is no lame in you guys at all. This place easily trumps the Space Needle. The cards are such a wonderful idea and the one you received is perfect.
I know… we both saw that card, gave each other “the look” and quickly grabbed for it.
Get a housesitting gig out here and let’s visit together.
Thanks for this! A friend, and fellow traveler, was the senior project manager on the interactive installations there. I know he worked really hard on it and was very proud of it. I’m going to send him the link to this post.
I’d love to visit the place some day (ahem, as well as Seattle where I’ve never been) and it’s nice to see it from your perspective. It looks amazing.
Wow, what a small world. Yes, pass the praise on to your friend. I hope he has a chance to check out this post.
And, yes, for the love of *everything* – get up here for a visit.
It seems like a very good idea with the cards, totally loved it.
And your pic is just fabulous.
Good on you two for covering the place, felt nice reading about it.
Wish you two a wonderful Sunday:)
Thanks, Arti!
My card would be to inspire people to eat more healthfully and to learn how to cook!
Isn’t it funny how long it takes you to explore sites that are nearby? We’re leaving Colorado soon, so I’m making sure to do all those things that I’ve wanted to do before I leave.
It is funny. There is so much here that we haven’t done yet. We’ve got a plan though… we’ve got a plan
We’ll bring your pledge to the foundation. I am sure it will inspire a foodie
Is this on the Microsoft campus in Redmond?
It’s at 440 5th Avenue North – right by Seattle Center. Very easy. Very central. Very close to good restaurants
I really like the way this visitor center makes the visitor a part of the process, asking what your potential foundation would do and making you think about how you can contribute. I know Windows gets a lot of flack, but everything I’ve read about Bill and Melinda Gates makes me so happy that they’re using their immense wealth in the ways that they are.
Anyhow, the pledge we try to live by everyday is to live a life of compassion — compassion for other people, the earth, each other, and ourselves.
Ah… love that pledge. Consider it delivered
I think it is amazing how much work Bill and Melinda do with their wealth for the benefit of others. Good to hear this places exists – I had no idea before!
What they have chosen to do with their wealth is remarkable. Even more noteworthy is the passion that they have for people that are the ghosts of society. It inspires us to – in our much smaller way – continue to make the world a better place.
Love what the Gates family does with their success. As for me, I Pledge to use my voice as a writer to encourage respect and appreciation for indigenous cultures all around the world.
Fantastic, Bret – we’ll deliver that pledge for you.
Well for me, this is really very inspirational…Thanks a lot for the great post here…
I’m a Foundation employee, and want you to know that your blog post is being passed around, and enjoyed by all, here at work. Thank you for visiting and for writing such thoughtful comments!
That’s great to hear. Thanks for the work you all do!
What a beautiful post guys. I think you made the right decision by going here instead of the Space Needle. I love the card too. I do believe that travel is important to help change the world. It makes people tolerant of other races and cultures, open to change and sympathetic to people’s suffering and needs. World experience opens hearts and minds and with that comes change and I believe that as the world becomes smaller, more people are feeling compassion for their brothers and sisters around the world and are inspired to lend a hand.
Deb… SO well put. Obviously from a true world citizen. Deep bows to both of you
I think I would pledge…
“Work harder to find the good in people.”
How long does your photo stay on the wall?