Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York ​

Advertisement depicting Trylon and Perisphere, the modernistic structures that became the central symbol of the fair. Both buildings were razed and scrapped after the fair and their materials  used in World War II armaments.   

One of the most iconic World’s Fairs took place in 1939-40 in Flushing Meadow, Queens, NY. Dubbed the “World of Tomorrow”, it was meant to bring business and economy to New York, which had suffered badly from the Great Depression.

Overview of the Constitutional Mall leading from the Trylon and Perisphere to the League of Nations.
Courtesy of California State University, Fresno

The World of Tomorrow could not escape what was going on in the rest of the world, and international tensions were on full display within the fair. When it opened on April 30, 1939, Germany was the only major world power that did not participate, citing budget concerns.

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, triggering the start of World War II. By the time the World of Tomorrow opened for its second season in April 1940, the pavilions for Poland and Czechoslovakia did not reopen with it. The USSR pavilion was razed at the end of the 1939 season and not replaced. By the time the fair closed for good in October 1940, many European nationals who were staff were unable to return to the home countries and were forced to remain in the United States.

Despite the troubles going on across the Atlantic, over 44 million visitors came to enjoy the World of Tomorrow over its two seasons.

A “Court of the States” was planned lining a long rectangular reflecting pool. Pennsylvania chose to build a full scale replica of Independence Hall as its exhibition at the head of the Court. If Pennsylvania chose Independence Hall to symbolize its heritage, New Jersey, yet again, chose the Old Barracks. Another full scale replica was built at a cost of $125,000 (equivalent to $2.3 million today).

New Jersey took the New York World’s Fair as an opportunity to demonstrate just how much they had to offer to the world. Over 700,000 pieces of literature were distributed highlighting the “beauties and advantages” of the state to encourage tourism and relocation.

The building was filled with exhibits to showcase New Jersey. Thomas A. Edison, Inc. displayed technological advancements, and WOR-Mutual had a broadcasting studio. The State Department of Agriculture had several maps highlighting the diversity of agriculture throughout the state. As people became more mobile and as the state’s manufacturing industry continued to grow, it was important to show off what the state could offer to bring in tourists, new residents, and new businesses.

Because the fair ran for two years instead of its usual one, an additional $50,000 (over $900,000 today) was granted by state legislature for maintenance on the building to continue participation into 1940. It was estimated that over four million people visited the New Jersey Building over the course of both seasons.

Site map of the fair, created by the New Jersey World’s Fair Commission and found in a promotional New Jersey pamphlet.
From the archives of the​Old Barracks Association

​New York Times January 18, 1941

From the beginning, New York City authorities planned on converting the grounds into a park once the fair concluded. When its two seasons came to an end on October 27, 1940, most exhibitors were under contract to remove their buildings from the grounds at their own expense. However, three structures, which included the New Jersey building, were accepted by New York City’s Department of Parks.

Police Precinct 110A had covered the Fair, and in order to continue protecting the new Flushing Meadow Park they needed a station. The New Jersey Building was remodeled and used for this purpose until it was demolished in preparation for the 1964 New York World’s Fair.