50 Years Later: 1964/65 New York World's Fair
 

The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair was the third major world's fair to be held in New York City. Hailing itself as a "universal and international" exposition, the fair's theme was "Peace Through Understanding", dedicated to "Man's Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe"; American companies dominated the exposition as exhibitors. The theme was symbolized by a 12-story high, stainless-steel model of the earth called the Unisphere. The fair ran for two six-month seasons, April 22 – October 18, 1964 and April 21 – October 17, 1965.

The fair is best remembered as a showcase of mid-20th-century American culture and technology. The nascent Space Age, with its vista of promise, was well represented. More than 51 million people attended the fair, though less than the hoped-for 70 million. It remains a touchstone for New York–area Baby Boomers, who visited the optimistic fair as children before the turbulent years of the Vietnam War, cultural changes, and increasing struggles for civil rights.

New York City was left with a much improved Flushing Meadows Park following the fair, taking possession of the park from the Fair Corporation, after a major demolition project, in June 1967. Today, it is heavily used for both walking and recreation. The paths and their names remain almost unchanged from the days of the fair, as does the Unisphere, New York City Pavilion, and the Hall of Science. The New York State pavilion, however, has fallen into disrepair and stands as a modern ruin. The USTA National Tennis Center and the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium, home of the US Open, sits in the northwest corner of the park.

Following photos from: NYC Parks Department Photos

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/10087.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/10089.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/10091.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/10088.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/10086.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/10092.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/10094.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/10095.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal..._size/9980.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal..._size/9981.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal..._size/9982.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/18048.jpg

http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gal...size/18049.jpg

Interesting thread!