Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the New York World's Fair Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0134
Creators:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Community Life
Dates:
1939-1940, undated
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.3 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:
Collection of material relating to the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair, held in Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Newspaper articles, fair schedules and maps, exhibit brochures,and pictures of the Fair grounds.
Scope and Contents
Newspaper articles, fair schedules and maps, exhibit brochures,and pictures of the Fair grounds.

Arrangement

Arrangement
Collection is arranged into one series by subject or type of document.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
The theme of this fair was "The World of Tomorrow," symbolized by the Trylon & Perisphere sculptures. It commemorated the 150th anniversary of the innauguration of George Washington as President in New York City.
The Fair was held on 1216 acres in Flushing Meadows, Queens, N.Y., divided into 7 geographic and thematic zones: Amusement, Communications & Business Systems, Community Interests, Food, Government, Medicine & Public Health, Production & Distribution, Science & Education, and Transportation.
In expanding on the theme, the Fair tried to show that what was being built then would be the World of Tomorrow. 62 foreign nations built exhibit halls. World War II began Sept. 1, 1939, as the Nazis overran countries represented at the Fair, such as France, Denmark, and Belgium.
World War II started September 1, 1939 putting a damper on the 1940 season as the Nazis overran countries which were represented at the Fair such as France, Denmark & Belgium.

Administration

Author
NMAH Staff
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Community Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life), December 1984.
Processing Information
Collection processed by NMAH Staff.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Immediate source of aquisition unknown.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
New York World's Fair Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Preferred Citation
New York World's Fair Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
World of Tomorrow Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Maps -- 1880-1940 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Amusements Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Queens (New York, N.Y.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Exhibitions Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Recreation Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Articles Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Postcards -- 1930-1940 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures -- 1930-1940 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Schedules Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
New York World's Fair (1939-1940 : New York, N.Y.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu