The 1964-1965 New York World's Fair

By Bill Cotter and Bill Young

The 1964-1965 New York World's Fair showcases the beauty of this international spectacular through rare color photographs, published here for the first time.

Advertised as the "Billion-Dollar Fair," the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair transformed a sleepy park in the borough of Queens into a fantasy world enjoyed by more than 51 million visitors from around the world. While many countries and states exhibited at the fair, the most memorable pavilions were built by the giants of American industry. Their exhibits took guests backward and forward in time, all the while extolling how marvelous everyday life would be through the use of their products. Many of the techniques used in these shows set the standard for future fairs and theme parks, and the pavilions that housed them remain the most elaborate structures ever built for an American fair.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Jan 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781439642146

Bill Cotter

Bill Cotter is the author of the novels Fever Chart, The Parallel Apartments, and The Splendid Ticket. He is also responsible for the middle-grade adventure series Saint Philomene’s Infirmary, published by Henry Holt. His short fiction has appeared in The Paris Review, Electric Literature, and elsewhere. An essay, “The Gentleman’s Library,” was awarded a Pushcart Prize in 2013. When he is not writing, Cotter labors in the antiquarian book trade. He lives in Austin with his wife, the retired opera singer Krissy Olson.

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INTRODUCTION

The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair was the result of two dynamic forces with very different goals. For the team of New York businessmen and politicians that came up with the idea, the fair was intended to showcase the city’s economic strength and to attract new businesses. For Robert Moses, the dynamic but irascible president of the fair, it was to provide funding to complete his long-delayed dream of a major new city park in Queens. The fair was only partially successful in meeting these goals, but even with its problems and shortcomings, it made those two summers a wonderful time to be in New York.

I was fortunate to live close enough to the fair that I was able to visit it numerous times. I jumped at every chance I could find to go, whether it was with my family, friends, or the Boy Scouts. I remember one day when my best friend asked if I wanted to go and the only money I had was my coin collection. I am not sure what those old silver dimes would be worth today, but I have no regrets about turning them into another admission ticket.

With money tight, I usually gravitated towards the free shows, unwittingly illustrating the problem a number of exhibitors found themselves facing. Many of them had built expensive pavilions and charged admission, only to find that the millions of expected visitors walked right past. Every time one of these shows closed, the pundits seized the opportunity to point out that the fair was less than perfect. Yes, there were problems with the fair, but for me and millions of other visitors, it was truly a wonderful experience.

A treat for the senses, everywhere you turned there was something going on. In addition to the fanciful architecture, there were brightly colored flags and flowers, leaping fountains, marching bands, and other performers, and, on most days, thousands of other visitors. Waiting in line for some of the popular pavilions provided a chance to talk to some of them as we all passed the time in the summer sun and humidity. I cannot recall anyone ever saying they were not impressed by their surroundings.

I also recall speaking with the staff at many of the international pavilions, both about their home countries and their impressions of the United States. I was 12 when the fair opened and had probably never been farther than New Jersey or perhaps Pennsylvania, so it seemed quite exotic, indeed, to meet people from all around the world. The fair’s theme was Peace Through Understanding, and it would be nice to think that others also got a better understanding of the world through their time at the fair.

When I walk through Flushing Meadows-Corona Park these days, it is sometimes hard to describe what it was like to someone who had never seen the fair in person. Luckily, I have my memories of the Great Fair, as it was dubbed, and many photographs that captured those wonderful days. It is a thrill to be able to share some of them now in color. I hope they take you back to 1964, at least for a few moments, to relive the magic of the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair.

—Bill Cotter

www.worldsfairphotos.com

June 2013

Author John Steele Gordon published an article in the October 2006 issue of American Heritage magazine titled, The World’s Fair—It was a disaster from the beginning. Gordon wrote of some of the things you will read about in this book: the fair was not an official World’s Fair . . . most major countries boycotted it . . . it was a financial disaster. He also said, The 1964-65 fair has been largely forgotten, except perhaps as a prime example of what went wrong in New York City in the 1960s and 1970s.

I would not argue with some of Gordon’s statements. The fair was not an official world’s fair and most major nations did boycott it, resulting in far fewer international participants. Indeed, it was a financial failure. But was the fair a prime example of what went wrong in New York City in the 1960s and 1970s and has it been largely forgotten? Hardly. The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair is, and will long be, remembered as an important piece of America’s cultural history.

As long as I am quoting authors, I would like to include this by Robert Moses from Only the Brave Deserve the Fair, Progress Report No. 6 on September 12, 1962:

A Fair can be . . . too intellectual for all but bluestockings, too noble for the earthy and too mature to be shared with junior members of the family. It must indeed have a worthy theme and central purpose but there must also be something exciting in it for everybody. A Fair is a Fair is a Fair. Local or global, its function is to enlighten, stimulate and amuse. It marks red letter days on the calendars of millions, days of eager anticipation, prolonged enjoyment and long remembrance.

That was Robert Moses

Reviews for The 1964-1965 New York World's Fair

[kurtgruninger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I finally learned what everyone was talking about the "New York World's Fair." I thought it was impresive. Also, its interesting to know what happended to the remaining pavilions.