Brett Williams
Brett Williams
The Queens 1964 World Trade Fair, held in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, was one of the most iconic events of the mid-20th century. You can still see many of the unique attractions today in the expansive park, just off the 7 Subway line and Long Island Railroad.
Fans of Men In Black 3 the movie will instantly recognize some of the items out here. It’s a dated movie, or there’s a good chance you may have already seen some of the attractions and not recognized what, or where they were.
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, Queens, Queens County, 11368
I visited in the middle of winter, with temperatures at 14 Fahrenheit or -10 degrees celsius and a stiff breeze. I’m trying to smile in the photo, but my face is frozen. You can’t say I’m not committed.
, Queens, Queens County, 11368Background to the Fair and theme
The fair, spanned two seasons (April 22, 1964, to October 18, 1964, and April 21, 1965, to October 17, 1965), was organized to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the founding of New York (formerly New Amsterdam).
The fair’s theme, “Peace Through Understanding,” aimed to foster cultural connection and mutual respect. This vision was especially poignant in the 1960s, a time marked by the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, tense relations with the former USSR, and the growing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
The theme was symbolized by the Unisphere, a 140 foot, 12-story stainless steel globe, weighing in at 700,000 pounds (317 metric tonnes). It still stands in Flushing Meadows Park today.
Queens as the host with the most
The location in Queens was chosen as Flushing Meadows–Corona Park had already been developed for the 1939–1940 World’s Fair, so, the site was further enhanced to accommodate the 1964 fair.
The choice of Queens reflected New York City’s global and multicultural aspirations, as the borough was becoming known as one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the world. Plus it had space, an all important consideration in New York.
Key attractions
Unisphere
The centerpiece of the fair, representing global unity and the Space Age.
Pavilions
There were over 140 pavilions created by 80 nations, U.S. states, corporations, and civic groups, showcasing advancements in technology, culture, and design. I’ve seen some of the models, and photos, and for the time they looked very futuristic.
The one remaining pavilion is the New York State and Observation Towers. Made famous in movies, including those of a certain age will recall Men in Black. Today its clad in scaffolding, undergoing one of many generational repairs. I think the main issue is the city want to keep it, but really don’t know what to do with it. It looks interesting, but doesn’t make a lot of sense, given it fulfills no identifiable purpose and isn’t interactive.
10 United Nations Ave S, Queens, Queens County, 11368There was even a Disney section, a salute to the children of the world, designed by Walt Disney, presents animated figures frolicking in miniature settings of many lands.
Cultural legacy
Attendees gained perspective of the world beyond New York, with global cuisine, architecture, and entertainment, including the rise of Disney attractions that were later moved to Disneyland. It brought the world to New York, but it was heavily corporatized, which for the Average Joe even in the 1960’s was a turn off. The crowds turned up, but not in the volume needed to save what would ultimately be a financial failure.
Legacy
While the fair was not officially sanctioned by the Bureau of International Expositions and faced financial difficulties, it left a lasting cultural and architectural impact. It was about showcasing American corporate culture and innovation.
Queens Museum
This is centered around the World Fair, with models, photos and merchandise for the era.
Highlights: New York City Panorama
, Queens, Queens County, 11368The highlight for me was The New York City Panorama. It is one of the most fascinating and ambitious architectural models in the world. It provides a bird’s-eye view of New York City, showcasing its five boroughs in intricate detail. The model was constructed over three years by a team of 100 architects, model-makers, and engineers. It served as a futuristic promotional tool to showcase New York City’s infrastructure and urban planning. It even has little planes that land and take off at the airports, a nice touch.
It’s a unique model and at a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet. Size wise it spans 9,335 square feet, equivalent to nearly two basketball courts, contains over 895,000 individual structures, including every building in the city as of 1964 and a lighting system which simulates day and night cycles, adding to the immersive experience. Major updates in 1992 and subsequent years have added over 60,000 new structures. Sadly the Twin Towers have been changed out too. The inner nerd in me loved it. Even if you’re not clapping in joy like I was, it’s a feat to admire.
Highlights: Tiffany lamps
I’m the first to admit my artistic creativity is limited. Stick figures are a stretch, so I was surprised to come across and enjoy some very unique Tiffany lamps produced in Queens.
The name got my attention and yes it’s linked to the famous jeweler, Tiffany & Co you will find on Fifth Avenue. The attention to detail, design and colors were standouts. The craftsmanship blew me away.
Final Thoughts
It’s a unique location and museum, with Pay-As-You-Wish entry at the museum, that provides the backstory and context to this two year event. Certainly worth the trip out for a couple of hours. Afterwards it’s only a short subway ride to Downtown Flushing for everything Chinese, including some great food outlets. It’s very ‘authentic.’
Happy travels
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