What's New for 1939 New York World's Fair

Mineral Day at the 1940 World's Fair by Mitchell PortnoyDecember 2009:

FREE download.
Mineral Day at the 1939-40 New York World's Fair
by Mitchell Portnoy

Thus 49-page paper is an essential guide to the mineral displays of various countries at the New York World's Fair.

Click here to download the PDF file. (13 Meg)

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July 2009: This month keeps getting better. Received permission from Robert Martens to capture some stills form his Grandfather's (Gustave Martens) 16mm Kodachrome World's Fair movies. I have added 25 more color photos of the fair on various web pages. Read my July 17th, 2009 blog for a list of pages.

To watch the original movies on YouTube go to the WF Links page.

Thank you Robert for your kind and generous nature and the willingness to share you Grandfather's work with the world.

July 2009: Thanks to Shirley M. of Napa, California, The listing for the Westinghouse Time Capsule is now on the site. timecapsule.htm In the next few weeks we will be adding photos of many of the items that were contained in the capsule.

July 2009: Many thanks to Michael Ott who uncovered his grandfather's Kodachrome slides from the Fair. Michael has scanned them and allowed me to add them to the pages on the Fair. So far, new photos can be found in:

  • Government Zone: Romania, Netherlands, USSR, Great Britain
  • Hall of Nations: Hall of Nations index page, Great Britain
  • Community Interests Zone: American Radiator, WPA, Star Pylon
  • Production & Distribution: Glass Inc., Kodak, Con Edison, Science, Petroleum
  • Transportation: Budd, Railroads, Railroads-Trains on Display, Goodrich

March 2009: Information about Kodak's Kodachrome movie film at the Fair. Magazine photos and article by Eric Beheim. Go to the Eastman Kodak Page

December 1, 2008: Again thanks Eric Beheim of California for the photos, ads, and text about Frank Buck's Jungleland in the Amusement Zone. Also thanks to Randy Richter of the World's Fair Preservation Society for the photo of Frank and the elephant.

November 8, 2008: Many thanks Eric Beheim of California for the scans and information on two View-Master reels. Take a moment to view the slide show. Just shy of 70 years and the photos are still magnificent.

July 1, 2008: The site has been completely re-designed from top to bottom.

November 19, 2007: Gil Witschard sent in photos and a newspaper article about his father, Adolph Witschard, who invented the mechanics that moved all the vehicles in GM's Futurama Exhibit.

May 30, 2007: Several new photos from "Railroads on Parade" have been added courtesy of Dave Stein, Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, New York.

May 7, 2007: Added photos and New York Times article about the "Wall of Death" attraction in the Amusement Zone. Thanks to Rose Ami of New York.

March 11, 2007: Thanks to Eric Ascalon of Cherry Hill, New Jersey for sending his grandfather's photographs of the Jewish Palestine Pavilion

January 25, 2007: Thanks to Bob Graham of Syracuse, New York for sending his father's photographs of the Girls at the NTG Sunworshipers in the Amusement Zone. J

December 21, 2006: Added the World's Fair Links Page. Anyone wanting a reciprocal link to a site or page that contains 1939 NY WF information should contact me at:

"The Harp" by Augusta Savage: A page dedicated to this art work has been added on October 22, 2006 and can been reached from the above link or via Zone 2 - American Art, or the Statues Page.

July 16, 2006: A few new photos courtesy of Karen Worth from Great Britain have been added to the Government Zone.

What is This? - June 25, 2006: From time-to-time I have been asked if I know anything about objects related to the 1939 New York World's Fair. Unfortunately, I know very little, so I thought it would be a good idea to ask you, the viewers for some help.

The Town of Tomorrow - June 14, 2006 The pages are up. Photos, drawings, and the cover for each of the 15 flyers they handed you as you visited each house. If you have any information or photos you would like to share, please contact me at:

New Color Photos As of May 24, 2006 I have added about 200 more photographs in color. These are dispersed throughout the Tour. I would like to hear from you about your visit to the Tour. E-mail me at and let me know how you liked it and if you have suggestions to make it better.

Belgium Pavilion Efforts are in progress to restore the Belgium Building which is now located in Richmond, Virginia. Read the details on the Restorations Projects Page