Sunday, July 31, 2011

Then & Now: New York State Pavilion 1964 World's Fair

Last week I finally got around to visiting Flushing Meadows Park in Queens NY. Flushing Meadows is the site where both the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs were held. Most of the pavilions were meant to be dismantled so very little remains except for a few traces here and there of the 64 fair.

The Unisphere was the symbol of the fair and still survives. I was taken back at first at how large it really was. I never envisioned it being several stories tall but it was quite amazing.....

Then

Now

The New York State Pavilion and Observation Towers on the other hand seem to be a different story.... After the fair the "Tent Of Tomorrow" has seen very little use besides a brief stint as a rollerskating rink in the 70s and has shown up in a couple movies (The Wiz and Men In Black). The floor tiles, which were a giant road map of New York State had been left to erode away over the past 4 decades are now covered in dirt and stones to try to protect what is left. Hopefully that is the first sign of new life in the future, especially now that it's a registered historic landmark......

Then

Now


Then

Now

The colored ceiling tiles were removed sometime in the early 70's but the wire supports still remain....


Then

Now


Then

Now

Now
Even in it's decaying form it's quite an amazing structure, but it's heartbreaking to see such an iconic landmark left in such state. As far as the rest of the park, there are several fountains left behind that are not being used along with some statues. The Queens Museum Of Art is housed in one of the original 1939 pavilions next to the Unisphere, and holds the breathtaking panorama model of New York City that was on display at the 64 fair. I didn't have time to cross the highway to see the other two remaining buildings which were The Hall Of Science and The Port Authority Heliport (now Terrace On The Park), but that's just more reason to revisit and explore. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Salem North Star Lamp

This is the first lamp I found about a year and a half ago. This is still the only one like it that I have seen so it could quite possibly be a promotional piece. The glass is like milk grass with a brass base and stem. I found this shade for it so I'm not sure if it even came with a shade originally.

Salem North Star Lamp

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Mid-Century Music

Petula Clark - Sign Of The Times
Top 10 Hit From 1966


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

One Crazy Calorie!

I love the original starburst bottles!








Monday, July 11, 2011

North Star Snack Plate

I picked up this cool super rare North Star snack plate a few weeks ago. Actually there were two of them but one ended up shattered in the mail.

Salem North Star Snack Plate and Cup


Salem North Star Snack Plate and Cup

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

George Nelson Birdhouses

For The Modern Bird

George Nelson Birdhouses

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Mid-Century Music

The Troggs - Love Is All Around
Top 10 Hit from 1967


Monday, July 4, 2011

Baking

Glasbake Milk Glass Baking Bowls With North Star Pattern

Glasbake North Star 

Glasbake North Star

Cool Treats From The Summer Of 1965

Borden's Ice Cream

Sealtest Checkerboard Ice Cream

Del Monte Fruit

Lady Borden Ice Cream

Nestea Iced Tea Mix

Sealtest Chocolate Bits Ice Cream

Sunkist Lemons

Me

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Philadelphia, PA, United States