Join a dedicated group of filmmakers working on a feature-length documentary to discuss and record your memories of the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. Oral histories collected on these dates will ultimately enter the Queens Museum’s archive for future generations, as well as potentially be featured in the film. 

Appointments will be scheduled in 30-minutes blocks. Please fill out the Scheduling Form prior to the day of the event. Walk-in appointments may be available, but not guaranteed. If you are interested in being interviewed but cannot attend the event, please email Queens Museum at archives@queensmuseum.org.

A small seating area will host light refreshments for attendees throughout the day. Queens Museum’s Assistant Director of Archives and Collections, Lynn Maliszewski, will be on-site to talk and answer questions. 

About the film (Working Title: Progress)

It’s the early 1960s, and New York urban planner Robert Moses conjures an unsanctioned expo in Queens. But while some long for a dazzling future with flying cars, others are still fighting for civil rights. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that the 1964–1965 New York World Fair’s financial struggles and operational chaos painted a stark contrast to the collective memory of fondness and nostalgia. Through archival materials, intimate interviews, and expert analysis, this documentary unveils the Fair’s enduring impact, and a vivid snapshot of the time. 

About the World’s Fairs Collections at the Queens Museum

The Queens Museum currently occupies the New York City Building, built for the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair. The site of Flushing Meadows Corona Park was developed specifically for use by the World’s Fair, and holds an important place in the history of New York City. When the 1964 World’s Fair was being pitched to stakeholders by Robert Moses, the site served as a natural continuation of the legacy of the initial event. The Museum hosts a collection of over 13,000 objects and documents related to both Fairs, and takes responsibility for introducing the significance of these events to future generations through exhibitions, public programs, and opportunities to engage with the community of World’s Fair aficionados and fans.