Welcome to the site of the 1939 New York World’s Fair, a landmark event that marked a significant moment in history as the world grappled with the aftermath of the Great Depression and the looming threat of global conflict. The fair, held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, opened its doors on April 30, 1939, and was themed ‘Building the World of Tomorrow.’ It represented a vision of a future filled with hope, innovation, and international cooperation.
The fairgrounds covered 1,216 acres and featured two iconic structures: the Trylon and Perisphere. These symbols of modernist architecture housed the ‘Democracity’ exhibit, which envisioned a utopian city of the future. The fair attracted 44 million visitors over its two-year run, providing a platform for countries worldwide to showcase their technological advancements and cultural heritage.
Among the notable figures who attended the fair was President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who delivered an opening address emphasizing the importance of peace and unity. The fair also featured a host of technological marvels, such as the first public demonstration of television by RCA and the debut of the View-Master.
The fairgrounds were a testament to the era’s spirit of innovation, featuring pavilions from 33 countries and numerous American states. General Motors’ Futurama exhibit, predicting the world of 1960, was particularly popular, offering visitors a glimpse of a future dominated by highways and automobiles.
Though many of the structures were temporary, the fair left a lasting legacy. It helped solidify New York’s reputation as a global hub of culture and innovation and set the stage for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Today, the site is Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, a vibrant green space that continues to serve as a gathering place for New Yorkers and visitors alike.
