The 1939 New York World's Fair took place at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York, United States, during 1939 and 1940. The fair included pavilions with exhibits by 62 nations, 34 U.S. states and territories, and over 1,300 corporations. The exhibits were split across seven zones (including an amusement area), and there were also two standalone exhibits. The fair had about 375 buildings when it opened, which were arranged around the fair's theme center, the Trylon and Perisphere. Buildings were color-coded based on the zone where they were located.

The New York World's Fair Corporation (WFC) oversaw the 1939 fair and leased out the land to exhibitors. The WFC built about 100 buildings, which were developed in a classical style, while the remaining buildings were constructed in a variety of styles. Most of the world's major nations had exhibits, and the fairground also hosted exhibits from states, corporations, and various groups. After the fair, some pavilions were preserved or relocated, but the vast majority of structures were demolished.

Background

Fair In September 1935, the New York City Board of Estimate voted to allow Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, then an ash dump, to be used as the site of the 1939 New York World's Fair.; The New York World's Fair Corporation (WFC) was formed to oversee the exposition in October 1935,; and the WFC took over the site in 1936. The WFC announced details of the fair's master plan in October 1936, which called for an exposition themed to "the world of tomorrow".; ; The World's Fair officially opened on April 30, 1939,; and its first season ended on October 31, 1939.; The fair reopened for a second and final season on May 11, 1940,; closing on October 27, 1940.; Demolition of the buildings began immediately after the fair ended, but seven structures were preserved as part of the park.

There were 1,500 exhibitors on the fair's opening day, representing about 40 industries. In addition, 62 nations and 35 U.S. states or territories (including the U.S. federal government) leased space at the fair. The fairground was divided into seven geographic or thematic zones, five of which had "focal exhibits", as well as two focal exhibits housed in their own buildings. The plan called for numerous wide tree-lined pathways, including a central "Cascade Mall" leading to the Trylon and Perisphere. The zones around the Trylon and Perisphere were all color-coded. Despite the fair's futuristic theme, the fairground's layout—with streets radiating from the theme center—was heavily inspired by classical architecture. Some streets in the fairground were named after notable Manhattan thoroughfares or American historical figures, while others were named based on their function.

Pavilions The fair had about 375 buildings, of which 100 were developed by the WFC. Many of the buildings were designed in "symbolically representative and stylistically individualistic" styles. The pavilions relied almost entirely on artificial light, and their steel frames were bolted together so they could be easily disassembled after the fair. The smallest standalone exhibition building was the House of Jewels, which covered , while the largest was the General Motors pavilion, which covered .

The buildings included design features such as domes, spirals, buttresses, porticos, rotundas, tall pylons, and corkscrew-shaped ramps. The buildings developed by the WFC tended to follow specific design guidelines. In particular, these buildings were generally one story high and made of steel, gypsum, and stucco, while the interiors were split into spaces of uniform dimensions. In contrast to the WFC's buildings, which had a classical architectural style, many of the individual exhibitors built more modernistic structures with curving facades. Many of the buildings' facades were decorated with art, commissioned by both the WFC and by individual exhibitors; the artwork included large murals, sculptures, and reliefs. The structures were painted in about 100 hues, and some of the paint colors were developed specifically for the fair. Ernest Peixotto oversaw the development of the murals and the fair's color-coding system.

Communications and Business Systems Zone Fairgoers walking to the north of the Theme Center on the Avenue of Patriots would encounter the Communications and Business Systems exhibits. The focal point of this area was the Communications Building, a large structure designed by Francis Keally and Leonard Dean, with a pair of pylons flanking it and a mural by Eugene Savage. Numerous smaller exhibitors had space in the Communications Building. The structure also had a theater, a Stuart Davis mural about technology, and seven illuminated panels about communications technologies. The building was renamed the Maritime, Transport and Communications Building in 1940.

The Communications and Business Systems Zone also contained the following buildings: PavilionArchitectsDescriptionAmerican Telephone & TelegraphVoorhees, Walker, Foley & SmithA structure with several sections of varying heights. The semicircular entrance court had a sculptural group called The Pony Express. Inside were several telecommunications exhibits, including one exhibit about the Voder electronic-voice synthesizer.Business Systems and Insurance BuildingEric Gugler, John B. Slee, and Robert H. BrysonAn L-shaped structure that housed numerous companies such as Aetna, MetLife, and IBM. The sculptor Joseph Kiselewski created a large sundial for the building.Crosley CorporationHolland & White (architects); Sundberg-Ferar (designers)A building displaying the products of the Crosley Corporation. The main building's facade had a panel depicting the corporation's products, while the products themselves were located inside. A separate structure contained a rest area. In addition, there was a broadcast studio.Masterpieces of ArtHarrison & FouilhouxThree pavilions around a courtyard, which contained 25 galleries with valuable Old Master works, many of which were borrowed from Europe. Different works of art were displayed during the 1939 and 1940 seasons.Radio Corporation of AmericaSkidmore & OwingsA structure shaped like a radio tube. Inside were exhibits about televisions, broadcasting, and various types of radio communications; these included dioramas and a yacht. There were also a lagoon and a park next to the structure.;

Community Interest Zone The Community Interest Zone was located just east of the Communications & Business Systems Zone. The region's exhibits showcased several trades or industries that were popular among the public at the time, such as home furnishings, plumbing, contemporary art, cosmetics, gardens, the gas industry, fashion, jewelry, and religion. The focal exhibit was the Home Furnishings Building, designed by Dwight James Baum; there were several displays from major companies, five smaller displays about home furnishings, and a mural by J. Scott Williams. Besides the focal exhibit, the Community Interest Zone included the following buildings: PavilionArchitectsDescriptionAmerican Radiator & Standard Sanitary CorporationVoorhees, Walker, Foley & SmithA yellow-and-orange structure with a curved colonnade. Inside the colonnade were displays of heating appliances, air conditioners, and plumbing.Christian ScienceW. Pope BarneyA visitor center for the Christian Science movement, with murals, conversation rooms, telephone booths, and reading rooms. The building consisted of a rotunda topped by a circular tower.Contemporary Arts BuildingAmerican Arts TodayFrederick L. Ackerman, Joshua D. Lowenfish, and John V. Van PeltA building with 23 exhibition galleries that displayed contemporary art, in addition to two studios where artists demonstrated how they created their work. The building was renamed in 1940.Electrified FarmHarrison & FouilhouxA fully functioning farm with electrically powered appliances. The farm included a farmhouse, orchard, barns, and crop fields.Gas Exhibits Inc.Skidmore & Owings and John MossA structure with an exhibit hall for 22 manufacturers and an auditorium. There was also a "court of flame" and a model house with gas appliances.; House of JewelsJ. Gordon Carr (architect); Raymond Loewy (designer)A simple concrete structure with jewelry displays, alongside an amphitheater with diamond exhibits. At the time of its opening, the pavilion was described as the largest display of jewels and diamonds in the U.S.Johns-Manville Sales CorporationShreve, Lamb & HarmonA structure with exhibits about Johns Manville's industrial products and home-construction materials. On the facade was the Asbestos Man sculpture designed by Hildreth Meière.; Maison CotyCross & Cross and John Hironimus (architects); Donald Deskey (designer)A glass building with displays of Coty perfumes, as well as exhibits on the history and manufacturing process of perfumes.Palestine Exhibits Inc. (Jewish Palestine)Arieh El-Hanani and Norvin R. Lindheim (architects); Lee Simonson (designer)A structure with displays about the history of the Jews in the Palestine region. The building featured a monumental hammered copper relief sculpture on its facade titled The Scholar, The Laborer, and the Tiller of the Soil by Maurice Ascalon. Several major Israeli artists presented their work, including Isaac Frenkel Frenel and Shimshon Holzman.; Temple of ReligionPoor, Stein & ReaganA nonsectarian structure with a circular tower.; The pavilion included a landscaped garden, a porch where performances took place, and a 1,200-seat auditorium. John W. Hausermann funded the new Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ that was installed in the building.Town of TomorrowA set of 15 "demonstration homes". Each home was decorated by a different company; most of the houses were designed in an 18th-century style, though some were designed in a modern style.Works Progress AdministrationDelano & AldrichAn exhibit with models of Works Progress Administration workers doing various tasks. There was also a 299-seat auditorium and an open courtyard where performances were held.; Young Men's Christian Association of the City of New YorkDwight James BaumA visitor center for the YMCA, with a restaurant, meeting areas, and lounges. There was also a large map of YMCA locations worldwide.

Government Zone The Government Zone was located at the east end of the fair, on the eastern bank of the Flushing River. It contained a centrally located Court of Peace, a Lagoon of Nations, and a smaller Court of States. The Hall of Nations consisted of eight buildings, which flanked the Court of Peace.; The 60 foreign governments built many pavilions housing a myriad of cultural offerings. Nations could build their own pavilions or lease space in the Hall of Nations; some nations chose to do both. Nazi Germany was the only major country that did not have any exhibits at the fair, though this was more because of the Germans' lack of money than opposition to the Nazi regime. China initially did not have a pavilion at the fair due to the ongoing Sino-Japanese War, but a Chinese exhibit was added during the 1940 season. The U.S. government also developed a pavilion for smaller South American and European governments that could not afford their own pavilions. The Soviet pavilion, demolished after the 1939 season, was replaced with the American Common in 1940.;

Standalone pavilions

The following nations had standalone pavilions.