Stunning Photos of the 1964-1965 New York’s World Fair

The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair was a world's fair that held over 140 pavilions, 110 restaurants, for 80 nations, 24 US states, and over 45 corporations to build exhibits or attractions at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City. The immense fair covered 646 acres on half the park, with numerous pools or fountains, and an amusement park with rides near the lake. It ran for two six-month seasons, April 22 – October 18, 1964, and April 21 – October 17, 1965.

Aerial view. (George Silk)

 

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, built on the foundation of the Perisphere from the 1939 World's Fair.

The fair is noted 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 fewer than the hoped-for 70 million.

Take a look back at the majestic fair through 30 stunning vintage photographs:

Dancers in traditional costumes outside the African Pavilion. (George Silk)

The Tower of Light. (Fred W. McDarrah)

Aerial view. (Bettmann)

'It's a Small World' pavilion. (Walter Daran)

The Unisphere. (Frederic Lewis)

Performers. (George Silk)

Monorail train. (Bettmann)

Kodak pavilion. (Mondadori)

The Unisphere. (Weegee)

The Belgian Village. (Walter Leporati)

The General Motors Exhibit. (Bettmann)

Cars driving through diorama. (George Silk)

Aerial view. (George Silk)

IBM Pavilion. (Morse Collection)

Thailand Pavilion. (Morse Collection)

Pagoda. (George Silk)

The Tent of Tomorrow. (George Silk)

Aerial view. (Bettmann)

New York Airways helicopter landing on heliport atop the port of New York Authority Exhibit. (Bettmann)

Chrysler Pavilion. (Morse Collection)

Members of Coros y Danzas dancing on the patio at the Spanish Pavillion. (Mark Kauffman)

Statue of the Rocket Thrower. (George Silk)

Spanish Flamenco dancers performing in front of the Unisphere. (Pictorial Parade)

American multinational General Motors pavilion. (Mondadori)

Swiss Sky Ride. (Bettmann)

Pepsi Cola exhibit by Walt Disney. (Ben Martin)

Polynesia pavilion. (Mondadori)

U. S. Rubber Company's Ferris Wheel. (Bettmann)

Ford pavilion. (George Silk)