Moses tried again to realize the grand vision for Flushing Meadows when the site hosted the 1964–65 World’s Fair-its theme, “Peace Through Understanding”. Several features from the 1939-40 World’s Fair era survive, including Meadow Lake and its boathouse, nearby Willow Lake, and the New York City Building (now the Queens Museum and formerly the United Nations’ headquarters from 1946 to 1950). In the year following the fair, 10,000 trees were planted at the site. The site was laid out with Beaux Arts radiating pathways inspired by the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, natural areas, and recreational fields.
The fair was designed with civic improvement in mind. The fair, with its theme “The World of Tomorrow,” was a critical if not financial success featuring the latest technological innovations and visions of the future. NYC Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888–1981) saw potential to rehabilitate the land and create Flushing Meadows Park after the fair ended. Shagden approached a group of businessmen to organize the 1939-40 World’s Fair. During 19th century industrialization at the turn of the century, the wetlands and creek flowing from Flushing Bay became an ash dump, described in 1925 as a “valley of ashes” in F. After the Civil War, the surrounding area became a popular waterfront resort and wealthy New Yorkers built elegant houses nearby. This area was once inhabited by the Matinecocks before the arrival of Dutch settlers in 1640.
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