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1964: Fountains, Fireworks, Fifty Years Ago – a World’s Fair

World's Fair steel replica of the planet earth
Unisphere, by day and by night, at the 1964-65 New York World’s fair. New York World’s Fair 1964-1965 Corporation. Official souvenir book of the New York World’s Fair, 1965. West Nyack, N.Y.: Dexter Press, c1965. Smithsonian Libraries. T786 1964 .C1

 

The Cooper-Hewitt Library has a large collection of over 2,000 World’s fair catalogues and books. Many are the official guidebooks that visitors could purchase with descriptions of pavilions and that helped locate sights and other points of interest. As a teenager, my mother had loved the 1939 World’s fair, so that when it came to New York City again in 1964-65, she wanted to see another World’s fair and have us children experience the same excitement and wonder.

 

Futurama General Motors building at the 1964-65 World's Fair
General Motors Building at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair

 

It was a long subway ride from Brooklyn through Manhattan to Flushing Meadows in Queens, the same site of the ’39 fair.  I bought a special “World’s fair “outfit” to wear every time I went; a blue skirt and an orange top- the official colors of the fair. The theme of the fair was “Peace Through Understanding”, dedicated to “Man’s Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe”. We talked about the Fair in school, sang the UNICEF theme song in Assembly – “It’s a small world after all”, and learned about the different countries and American companies that had pavilions at the fair, like the General Motors Pavilion. My memories of the Fair are mostly visual, glimpses of this or that pavilion, but what was most iconic, visible and still survives is the Unisphere.

 

Fountains at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.
Fountains at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. The Unisphere may be scene in the back in the bottom photo.

 

Looking longingly at the Belgian Pavilion, I wanted a Belgian waffle desperately, but never had one. I most vividly remember waiting until dark to see the fountains and colored lights and music. This was better than the 4th of July! The Fountain of the Planets, sent up 10,000 tons of water in shifting patterns, sometimes as high as 150 feet into the air, and the jets of water were  synchronized with the fireworks, lights and music.

This was the only World’s Fair that I’ve ever been to. It opened on April 22nd, 1964 and tomorrow marks its 50th Anniversary.

Cover of the Official Souvenir Book of the New York World's Fair
Cover of the Official Souvenir Book of the New York World’s Fair

 

3 Comments

  1. Doug Hymer

    One of the most magical times of my life. I was six years old, the excitement was palpable. Events, activities and venues. All types of “firsts”and unique things to do and beautiful see. I remember the beautiful sunsets and amazing fireworks. We spent 12 hours a day there for 4 days back in 64. I have not and will not forget it for the wrest of my life.

  2. Nadine Stewart

    My father worked at the Billy Graham pavilion from the time it opened to the day it closed. I have hundreds of memories with my closest friend. We would eat lunch at the sphere and sometimes our dad’s would get off for lunch and sit there too.

  3. Mitchell Eric Dakelman

    During the 2 year run of the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair I attended it a total of 5 times. As a 11-12 year old young boy, I was too young to venture out there on my own. But I enjoyed every moment of it and wish I could have seen more. I have kept the memory alive, though, by collecting 8mm and 16mm amateur and professionally made films, including the AT&T film, A Ballad for the Fair, processed by Technicolor. In addition, I have some memorabilia as well as 35mm color slides.

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