1939-1940 Golden Gate International Exposition - the Tower Of The Sun

. . .  and the World's Fair Historical Society!


Pictured above: Visitors at the 1939-1940 Golden Gate International Exposition walking towards the fair's theme building, the Tower Of The Sun.


Welcome to our new site

We hope you enjoy the new look for the World's Fair Historical Society website. If you should have any suggestions how to make it better, use the form which you can find at the bottom of ever page to contact us.


May 1, 2012: New! Collector's Postcards


Collectors Cards #1 and 2We are pleased to announce that in a cooperative effort between the World's Fair Historical Society and PM Photo (1939NYWorldsFair.com), we are offering images of the 1939-40 New York World's Fair in the form of Collector's Postcards.

These professionally produced Collector's Cards are made from the Kodachrome slides that were recently donated to the Society. All proceeds from the sale of the Collector's Cards on the Society's site remain with the World's Fair Historical Society and help support our 501(c)(3) organization.

Start your collection TODAY with two photos of the Trylon & Perisphere. A new Collector's Card will be added every month.

1931 Paris ExpositionAbout Our Organization and World's Fairs


Since the first world's fair held in London in 1851, in a building called the Crystal Palace, these events have played an important role in society.

Also known as International Expositions, world expositions or expo's; such as Montreal's Expo '67, many inventions have been introduced to the public at these fairs. Movies, Television, the Ferris Wheel, Ice Cream Cones, Hot Dogs, Cotton Candy and the Picture Post Card are just a few of the things that were unveiled to the public at an International Exposition.

In addition world's fairs have offered hope of a better future by showing how things can be done differently. Examples are Shanghai's Expo 2010 that had the theme, "Better City, Better Life," and the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair which inspired people with its theme, "The World of Tomorrow."

The World's Fair Historical Society's goal is to preserve this fun and incredible London's Crystal Palace, 1851history. We also promote current and future world's fairs. Go to the tab on the top of this page marked "Mission," to see what our mission is as a nonprofit 501c3 organization.

Photo left: London's Crystal Palace, 1851


EXPO 2012 - Yeosu, Korea


expo 2012 - Koera

Exposition Opens In South Korea – May 12 marked the opening of Expo 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea.

With the theme, “The Living Ocean and Coast,” the world’s fair is aimed at showing how there can be harmony with the ocean and land, nature and man, and the past and future.

The World’s Fair runs until August 12, 2012 and has some very exciting exhibits and pavilions to see. There are 104 participants. Use this link to the EXPO 2012 for information and a tour of the fair.

Dec. 20, 2011: New Photos for Sale


David Halperin has graciously offered a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of his 1939 NY World's Fair photos to the World's Fair Historical Society when anyone purchases one of his photographs through the WFHS web site.