1964 New York World's Fair - New York City
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New York World's Fair 1964–1965

Flushing Meadows (Queens), N.Y.









The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair was the third major world's fair to be held in New York City. Hailing itself as a "universal and international" exposition, the fair's theme was "Peace Through Understanding," dedicated to "Man's Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe"; although American corporations dominated the exposition as exhibitors. The theme was symbolized by a 12-story high, stainless-steel model of the earth called Unisphere. The fair ran for two six-month seasons, April 22–October 18, 1964 and April 21–October 17, 1965.

The site, Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the borough of Queens, had also held the 1939/1940 New York World's Fair. It was one of the largest world's fairs to be held in the United States, occupying nearly a square mile of land. The only larger fair was the 1939 fair, which occupied space that was filled in for the 1964/1965 exposition. Preceding these fairs was the 1853-54 New York World's Fair, called the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, located on the site of Bryant Park in the borough of Manhattan, New York City.

The fair is best remembered as a showcase of mid-20th century American culture and technology. The nascent Space Age, with its vista of promise, was well-represented. More than 51 million people attended the fair, less than the hoped-for 70 million. It remains a touchstone for New York–area Baby Boomers, who visited the optimistic fair as children before the turbulent years of the Vietnam War, cultural changes, and increasing struggles for civil rights.
           
  Vatican Pavilion - New York World's Fair 1964-1965 - Flushing Meadows (Queens), N.Y.
 
Vatican Pavilion
  Chapel of the Good Shepherd - Vatican Pavillion - New York World's Fair 1964-1965 - Flushing Meadows (Queens), N.Y.
  Chapel of the Good Shepherd
Vatican Pavilion







One of the most popular attractions at the 1964-65 World's Fair was the Vatican Pavilion. Built on an oval-shaped plot of land, the pavilion was a collaborative design by the architectural firms of York & Sawyer, Hurley & Hughes, and Luders and Associates. Surmounting the pavilion was a lantern and cross that rose to a height of 100 feet. The groundbreaking ceremony on October 31, 1961 was a media event covered by television and broadcast by Vatican Radio in which Pope John XXIII pushed a button in his Vatican apartment to signal the start of pile-driving operations at the construction site in New York.

The main attraction in the Vatican Pavilion was Michelangelo's famed sculpture, Pietà, on loan from the Vatican and viewed from a moving sidewalk. A copy of the sculpture was transported beforehand to ensure that the statue could be conveyed without being damaged. (This copy was moved to St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, in Yonkers.) Also on view were early Christian sculptures from the catacombs, a replica of St. Peter's tomb, an exhibition of one-third life size color transparencies of the Sistine Chapel, a collection of Vatican coins, and a statue of the Good Shepherd. On the top floor of the pavilion was the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.
               
               
M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 9962 (1964)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 28 registers, 7 stops, 8 ranks


The organ in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd of the Vatican Pavilion was built in 1964 by M.P. Möller of Hagerstown, Md. This unified organ had eight ranks and was one of the firm's popular "Artiste" series. When the fair closed, this organ was moved to the Immaculate Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis, Hastings, N.Y., where it is extant.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
92
4
   Flute
—
8
   Principal
80
2
   Super Octave [top 5 repeat]
—
8
   Rohrflöte
—
2
   Flautino [top 5 repeat]
—
8
   Gemshorn
SW
     Mixture II ranks
122
4
   Octave
—
     Tremulant  
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Gedeckt
73
1 1/3
   Larigot [top 5 repeat]
—
8
   Gemshorn
61
16
   Trompette
85
4
   Spitz Principal
73
8
   Trompette
—
4
   Gedeckt
—
4
   Trompette
—
2
   Principal
—
     Tremulant  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Bourdon
GT
4
   Rohrflöte
GT
8
   Principal
GT
     Mixture II ranks
GT
8
   Rohrflöte
GT
16
   Trompette
SW
8
   Gemshorn
SW
8
   Trompette
SW
4
   Octave
GT
4
   Trompette
SW
               
Coupler
    Swell to Great          
               
Adjustable Combinations
    Pistons 1-2-3-4 affecting Full Organ
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Great Organ [8 stages]  
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell Organ [8 stages]  
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal (green jewel)  
               
Stop Analysis
     
Pipes
16
   Bourdon
92
8
   Principal
80
    Mixture II ranks
122
8
   Gedeckt
80
8
   Gemshorn
61
4
   Spitz Principal
73
16
   Trompette
    85
   
Total
593
           
Sources:
     Official Guide Book, Vatican Pavilion, New York World's Fair 1964-1965.
     Vatican Pavilion New York World's Fair 1964-1965 A Chronicle.
     Walsh, Kevin. Specifications of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 9962 (1964).

Illustrations:
     Official Guide Book, Vatican Pavilion, New York World's Fair 1964-1965. Interior, Chapel of the Good Shepherd.