Long before Google, there was the Panorama

This past week, we had a chance to shoot an interview with Tom Finkelpearl, the Executive Director of the Queens Museum of Art. While we talked about how the legacy of the fair has influenced the museum, and the expansion plans for the site (located in the New York City pavilion, originally in the 1939-40 fair), the highlight of visiting the museum for me is always the panorama of New York City. Robert Moses had the panorama built for the 1964-65 World's Fair, not only as a fascinating attraction, but also as a practical planning tool for the city. Finkelpearl told us how to this day, various agencies will stop by and use the huge, detailed panorama to help plan for city expansion/disaster recovery, etc.

Tom Finkelpearl, Exec. Director, Queens Museum of Art

At the fair, you travelled slowly over the panorama, which must have made it nearly impossible to take in all the detail. Today, a walkway starts near the level of the panorama, and goes around the entire perimeter (even over a portion of the panorama) rising to give a bird's eye view. Fortunately, these days you can linger as long as you want, and pick out city landmarks, or maybe even your home if you reside in New York City. Truly one of the lasting legacies of the fair.