Editing New York Hall of Science (section)

== World's Fair use<span class="anchor" id="History"></span> ==
The current New York Hall of Science museum includes both the Hall of Science pavilion and the adjacent Space Park at [[Flushing Meadows–Corona Park]] in the [[New York City borough]] of [[Queens]].<ref name="NYC Parks a069" /> Both structures were originally constructed for the [[1964 New York World's Fair]],<ref name="NYC Parks a069">{{cite web |date=June 15, 1964 |title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park Highlights: Hall of Science |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/highlights/12217 |access-date=September 6, 2024 |publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]]}}</ref> which U.S. president [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] had approved in 1959.<ref name="Samuel p. 6; Tirella p. 14">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=6}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=14}}</ref>  Before the Hall of Science was constructed, New York City had no science-specific museum. There had been a small science museum, the [[New York Museum of Science and Industry]], at [[Rockefeller Center]] until the 1940s.<ref name="Samuel p. 165">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=165}}</ref>

=== Development ===

==== Initial plans ====
U.S. Representative [[Seymour Halpern]] introduced legislation in 1960 to provide funding for a permanent science museum, library, and auditorium at the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 2, 1960 |title=U.S. Science Museum Sought: Library Planned |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=13 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510118481}}}}</ref> [[Robert Moses]], who was the president of the World's Fair Corporation (WFC), also advocated for a large science museum at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.<ref>{{cite news |last=Iverem |first=Esther |date=November 5, 1989 |title=Queens Culture Museum in the Park Recalls World's Fairs |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|278141630}}}}</ref> Moses initially supported the creation of a science museum at the nearby [[United States Pavilion]].<ref>{{cite news |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-nassau-edition-ask-permanent-c/152946063/ |access-date=August 9, 2024 |date=December 5, 1960 |title=Ask Permanent Center For Science at '64 Fair |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|898994988}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 5, 1960 |title=U.S. Science Site Urged at '64 Fair; Exhibition Asks Government to Sponsor a $30,000,000 Permanent Building |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/12/05/archives/us-science-site-urged-at-64-fair-exhibition-asks-government-to.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607221502/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/12/05/archives/us-science-site-urged-at-64-fair-exhibition-asks-government-to.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1962, City Councilmember Bernard H. Manheimer introduced legislation in the [[New York City Council]] to establish a science museum for $15–20 million. At the time, nine sites were under discussion, including the World's Fair site.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 18, 1962 |title=Councilman Has a Plan: A City Museum of Science and Industry |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=14 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1326261584}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Bennett |first=Charles G. |date=June 18, 1962 |title=Science Museum Proposed for City; 9 Possible Sites Suggested for Permanent Building Other Sites Studied |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/06/18/archives/science-museum-proposed-for-city-9-possible-sites-suggested-for.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607221503/https://www.nytimes.com/1962/06/18/archives/science-museum-proposed-for-city-9-possible-sites-suggested-for.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Mayor [[Robert F. Wagner Jr.]] and City Council president [[Paul R. Screvane]] supported a science museum at the World's Fair. The proposed science museum was to be located at 111th Street near the [[Long Island Rail Road]] tracks in [[Corona, Queens|Corona]],<ref name="nyt-1963-04-10">{{Cite news |last=Bennett |first=Charles G. |date=April 10, 1963 |title=City Museum Plan for Fair Scored; Science Center Proposal Is Viewed as 'Vast Waste' |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/10/archives/city-museum-plan-for-fair-scored-science-center-proposal-is-viewed.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> on a site that other exhibitors had shunned.<ref name="Stern (1995) p. 1054">{{harvnb|Stern|Mellins|Fishman|1995|ps=.|p=1054}}</ref> To pay for the exhibits, Screvane applied for funding from an unspecified private [[Foundation (nonprofit)|foundation]], which rejected the request as "weak".<ref name="nyt-1963-10-06">{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Walter |date=October 6, 1963 |title=Science Museum at Fair Delayed; Hall Will Not Be Ready for Opening on April 22 Hall of Science at World's Fair To Open a Month or More Late Loss of Chance Feared June 1 Opening |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/10/06/archives/science-museum-at-fair-delayed-hall-will-not-be-ready-for-opening.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

A competing museum, the New York Museum of Science and Technology, had received a charter from the New York state government in December 1962.<ref name="nyt-1963-04-10" /><ref name="Stern (1995) pp. 1052–1054">{{harvnb|Stern|Mellins|Fishman|1995|ps=.|pp=1052–1054}}</ref> The museum's board preferred erecting a building in Manhattan, saying that the World's Fair building would contain only {{convert|50000|ft2}}, cost up to $8.5 million, and could not be ready within a year.<ref name="nyt-1963-04-10" /> There were concerns that the World's Fair site would be too far from Manhattan,<ref name="Samuel p. 165" /><ref name="nyt-1963-04-10" /><ref name="Rhoades 2014">{{cite web |last=Rhoades |first=Liz |date=May 22, 2014 |title=NY Hall of Science was almost in Manhattan |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/ny-hall-of-science-was-almost-in-manhattan/article_087e21f5-c55a-5205-bf92-0494d826493b.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |website=Queens Chronicle |archive-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908011803/https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/ny-hall-of-science-was-almost-in-manhattan/article_087e21f5-c55a-5205-bf92-0494d826493b.html |url-status=live}}</ref> even though there was a [[New York City Subway]] station nearby at [[111th Street station (IRT Flushing Line)|111th Street]].<ref name="nyt-1963-10-06" /> Another institution, the [[New York Academy of Sciences]], wanted to build a 21-story science museum at [[Lincoln Center]] in Manhattan.<ref name="Samuel p. 165" /> Nonetheless, in April 1963, the Hall of Science at the World's Fair received approval from Wagner,<ref name="nyt-1963-04-18">{{Cite news |date=April 18, 1963 |title=Mayor Approves City Science Hall; Says It Will Be Built at Site of '64 World's Fair |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/18/archives/mayor-approves-city-science-hall-says-it-will-be-built-at-site-of.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607234110/https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/18/archives/mayor-approves-city-science-hall-says-it-will-be-built-at-site-of.html |url-status=live}}</ref> the [[New York City Planning Commission]],<ref name="nyt-1963-04-19">{{Cite news |date=April 19, 1963 |title=City Science Hall at Fair Advances; Planning Board Approves Cost and Standards |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/19/archives/city-science-hall-at-fair-advances-planning-board-approves-cost-and.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 19, 1963 |title=Revised Civic Center Plan OK'd |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-revised-civic-center-plan-ok/148908330/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=503 |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607234101/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-revised-civic-center-plan-ok/148908330/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the City Council.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1963 |title=City Council Votes For Hall of Science As '64 Fair Exhibit |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/05/01/archives/city-council-votes-for-hall-of-science-as-64-fair-exhibit.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> New York Governor [[Nelson Rockefeller]] authorized the city government to negotiate with [[nonprofit organization]]s to operate the Hall of Science.<ref name="nyt-1963-04-29">{{Cite news |date=April 29, 1963 |title=Governor Signs Obscenity Bill; Law Is Intended as Weapon to Identify Publishers |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/29/archives/governor-signs-obscenity-bill-law-is-lntended-as-weapon-to-identify.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608031706/https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/29/archives/governor-signs-obscenity-bill-law-is-lntended-as-weapon-to-identify.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Design and construction ====
[[Wallace K. Harrison]] was hired to design the museum, which was to include {{Convert|32000|ft2}} of exhibit space on two levels. Initially, the city allocated $3.6 million to the Hall of Science, taking funds that had been earmarked for an incinerator.<ref name="nyt-1963-10-06" /> Work on the Hall of Science began on June 19, 1963.<ref name="nyt-1963-06-20">{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1963 |title=City Starts Work on Museum |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/06/20/archives/city-starts-work-on-museum.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607234059/https://www.nytimes.com/1963/06/20/archives/city-starts-work-on-museum.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By that October, the museum needed another $1.6 million in funding. To expedite the Hall of Science's construction, Harrison decided to [[prefabricate]] the concrete panels for the museum building, rather than pouring the panels on-site.<ref name="nyt-1963-10-06" /> That month, Wagner approved a $5.5 million contract for the construction of the World's Fair museum,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1963 |title=City to Build Science Hall |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-city-to-build-science-hall/148909391/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=60 |archive-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908011813/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-city-to-build-science-hall/148909391/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1963-10-19">{{Cite news |last=Wehrwein |first=Austin C. |date=October 19, 1963 |title=Mayor Approves Fair Science Hall; Construction Cost Rises &474,000 to $3,974,000 Subject of Bickering Expansion Problem Operated by Trustees |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/10/19/archives/mayor-approves-fair-science-hall-construction-cost-rises-474000-to.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and he provided a $474,000 appropriation for the museum.<ref name="nyt-1963-10-19" /> There were also disputes over who would operate the Hall of Science. Moses claimed that the Museum of Science and Technology's board had no control over the museum, and he wished to appoint a new board for the Hall of Science.<ref name="nyt-1963-10-08">{{Cite news |date=October 8, 1963 |title=Fair Pressing Work on Hall of Science |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/10/08/archives/fair-pressing-work-on-hall-of-science.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607234109/https://www.nytimes.com/1963/10/08/archives/fair-pressing-work-on-hall-of-science.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Moses planned to retain the Hall of Science after the fair,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Santora |first=Phil |date=March 4, 1964 |title=After the Fair, a Fairyland of Parks |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-after-the-fair-a-fairyland-o/148913525/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=383}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1964 |title=Moses' Proposals for Queens Park Still Opposed |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/17/archives/moses-proposals-for-queens-park-still-opposed.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516012902/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/17/archives/moses-proposals-for-queens-park-still-opposed.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and he wanted to construct two additional structures for the museum when the fair closed.<ref name="nyt-1964-02-24">{{Cite news |date=February 24, 1964 |title=Fair's Science Hall May Be Expanded For Permanent Use |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/24/archives/fairs-science-hall-may-be-expanded-for-permanent-use.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Concurrently, the WFC had set aside {{Convert|5.5|acre}} for an "aerospace island" on the western section of the fairground, next to the [[Ford Motor Company]] and [[General Motors]] pavilions.<ref name="nyt-1962-08-05">{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=McCandlish |date=August 5, 1962 |title=Fair is Uncertain on Space Exhibit; Officials Here Favor Unified 'Aerospace Island' Plan |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/08/05/archives/fair-is-uncertain-on-space-exhibit-officials-here-favor-unified.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528235421/https://www.nytimes.com/1962/08/05/archives/fair-is-uncertain-on-space-exhibit-officials-here-favor-unified.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 1964, U.S. governmental officials announced that they would operate the United States Space Park at the fair, with various spacecraft loaned by [[NASA]].<ref>{{cite news |date=March 9, 1964 |title=U. S. to Show Space Hardware at Fair: Mass of Missiles Called Largest Outside Cape |work=Chicago Tribune |page=8 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|179399025}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1964-03-09">{{Cite news |last=Weaver |first=Warren Jr. |date=March 9, 1964 |title=U. S. to Show Rockets and Space Vehicles at Fair; Collection Will Be Largest Outside Cape Kennedy—Cost to Be Shared |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/03/09/archives/u-s-to-show-rockets-and-space-vehicles-at-fair-collection-will-be.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607234111/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/03/09/archives/u-s-to-show-rockets-and-space-vehicles-at-fair-collection-will-be.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The federal government planned to spend $650,000 on the land and $1 million on the exhibits.<ref name="nyt-1964-03-09" /> [[William Whipple Jr.]], the engineer overseeing the fair's construction, indicated that the Hall of Science would not be completed in time for the fair's planned opening on April 22, 1964.<ref name="nyt-1964-02-27">{{Cite news |last=Lelyveld |first=Joseph |date=February 27, 1964 |title=Not All of Fair to Open on Time; 8 or 10 Pavilions Won't Be Ready, Engineer Says |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/27/archives/not-all-of-fair-to-open-on-time-8-or-10-pavilions-wont-be-ready.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531182658/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/27/archives/not-all-of-fair-to-open-on-time-8-or-10-pavilions-wont-be-ready.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By mid-1964, the Hall of Science's cost had increased to $7,587,432, more than twice the original estimate.<ref name="nyt-1964-08-21">{{Cite news |date=August 21, 1964 |title=City's Cost Rises for Hall at Fair; Figure for Science Building Put at $7,587,432 |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/21/archives/citys-cost-rises-for-hall-at-fair-figure-for-science-building-put.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608025116/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/21/archives/citys-cost-rises-for-hall-at-fair-figure-for-science-building-put.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Operation ===
[[File:NY HallOfScience 3007.jpg|thumb|Interior of original building at night]]
The Hall of Science's basement exhibits opened on June 16, 1964,<ref name="Samuel p. 165" /><ref name="nyt-1964-06-16">{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1964 |title=Science Section Opening at Fair; First Displays in New Hall Include Children's Area |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/16/archives/science-section-opening-at-fair-first-displays-in-new-hall-include.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608031704/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/16/archives/science-section-opening-at-fair-first-displays-in-new-hall-include.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Sun 1964">{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1964 |title=New Hall At World's Fair Makes Science Come Alive |work=The Sun |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|540003348}}}}</ref> but the building was not officially dedicated until September 9, 1964.<ref name="nyt-1964-09-10">{{Cite news |date=September 10, 1964 |title=Hall of Science Dedicated by City; Wagner Stresses Center at Fair Is National in Scope |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/10/archives/hall-of-science-dedicated-by-city-wagner-stresses-center-at-fair-is.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608032702/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/10/archives/hall-of-science-dedicated-by-city-wagner-stresses-center-at-fair-is.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mathieu |first=Richard |date=September 9, 1964 |title=Taxi: Take Me to the Moon! You Can See It Done at Fair |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-taxi-take-me-to-the-moon-yo/148913827/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=516 |archive-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908011805/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-taxi-take-me-to-the-moon-yo/148913827/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Originally, the Hall of Science housed 12 exhibits related to science and health,<ref name="Rhoades 2014" /> most of which were sponsored by private businesses.<ref name="Samuel p. 165" /><ref name="The Sun 1964" /> [[Abbott Laboratories]], [[American Cancer Society]], Ames Company, Hearing Aid Industry Conference, [[Office of Civil Defense]],<ref name="The Sun 1964" /><ref name="nyt-1964-07-12">{{Cite news |last=Rusk |first=Howard A. |date=July 12, 1964 |title=The Fair and Medicine; Futuristic Hospital and Science Hall Enhance Exhibition's Health Aspects |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/12/archives/the-fair-and-medicine-futuristic-hospital-and-science-hall-enhance.html |access-date=May 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[American Chemical Society]], [[Dow Corning]], [[General Aniline & Film]], [[International Telephone & Telegraph]], [[United States Atomic Energy Commission]] (AEC), and [[Upjohn Company]] sponsored exhibits in the pavilion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 23, 1963 |title=GAF to Exhibit at World's Fair |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-gaf-to-exhibit-at/148911195/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=Press and Sun-Bulletin |pages=17 |archive-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908012323/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-gaf-to-exhibit-at/148911195/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The biological and chemical exhibits included models of the brain, [[molecular biology]], the [[human digestive system]], and hearing aids. There were also exhibits about cancer detection, ocean life, and nuclear-war survival.<ref name="nyt-1964-07-12" /><ref name="Samuel pp. 165–166">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=165–166}}</ref> The pavilion also included a screening of [[Frank Capra]]'s 1964 film ''[[Rendezvous in Space]]'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 10, 1964 |title=A Disappointing Science Film |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/10/archives/a-disappointing-science-film.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609170242/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/10/archives/a-disappointing-science-film.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AM New York 2015">{{Cite news |date=29 June 2015 |title=A new world at science hall |work=AM New York |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|1697782559}}}}</ref> three space vehicles,<ref name="nyt-1964-08-30">{{Cite news |date=August 30, 1964 |title=3 Space Vehicles Hang in New Hall; City-Financed Fair Exhibit Rushed for Opening |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/30/archives/3-space-vehicles-hang-in-new-hall-cityfinanced-fair-exhibit-rushed.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the Atomsville USA children's exhibit,<ref name="Samuel pp. 165–166" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 30, 1963 |title=World's Fair Atom Exhibit For Kids |work=New York Amsterdam News |page=28 |id={{proQuest|226822530}}}}</ref> a "color tree",<ref name="Hornaday 1965" /> and a model of a busy airport with an [[Air traffic control|air control tower]].<ref name="nyt-1963-12-23">{{Cite news |date=December 23, 1963 |title=Fair Will Exhibit Operating Model Of Busy Jetport |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/12/23/archives/fair-will-exhibit-operating-model-of-busy-jetport.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In addition, there was a cylindrical laboratory measuring {{Convert|12|by|30|ft}} across.<ref name="nyt-1964-08-302">{{Cite news |date=August 30, 1964 |title=3 Space Vehicles Hang in New Hall; City-Financed Fair Exhibit Rushed for Opening |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/30/archives/3-space-vehicles-hang-in-new-hall-cityfinanced-fair-exhibit-rushed.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603192319/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/30/archives/3-space-vehicles-hang-in-new-hall-cityfinanced-fair-exhibit-rushed.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Many of these exhibits were to be preserved after the fair.<ref name="Samuel p. 165" />

When the Space Park opened, it included three rockets measuring {{convert|90|to|110|ft}} tall, in addition to the [[Discoverer 14]] satellite and several full-scale models of satellites and rockets.<ref name="nyt-1964-06-14">{{Cite news |last=Haitch |first=Richard |date=June 14, 1964 |title=Fair's Space Park 'Tutors' Visitors; Roaming U.S. Hosts Explain Rocketry Hows and Whys |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/14/archives/fairs-space-park-tutors-visitors-roaming-us-hosts-explain-rocketry.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607234101/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/14/archives/fairs-space-park-tutors-visitors-roaming-us-hosts-explain-rocketry.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Among the other objects displayed there were a [[Lunar excursions|lunar excursion]] module, [[Thor (rocket family)|Thor]] and [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]] space launch vehicles, a [[space capsule]] from [[Project Mercury]], and an [[Agena target vehicle]].<ref name="nyt-1964-03-09" /> Twenty-one young male "hosts" spent 60 hours memorizing space facts, then answered visitors' questions about the Space Park. Because of its secluded location, the Space Park recorded 6,000 to 7,000 daily visitors by mid-1964, making it among the fair's less popular structures.<ref name="nyt-1964-06-14" />

The first season of the World's Fair ended on October 18, 1964.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Mary |date=October 19, 1964 |title=N.Y. World's Fair Closes on Gay Note: Financial Arrangement |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=7 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510663645}}}}</ref> That December, the city government and Moses appointed 16 trustees to oversee the Hall of Science's operation.<ref name="nyt-1964-12-13">{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1964 |title=16 Trustees Are Named for Hall of Science; Board to List Goals of New Museum in Flushing Meadow |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/13/archives/16-trustees-are-named-for-hall-of-science-board-to-list-goals-of.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609170244/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/13/archives/16-trustees-are-named-for-hall-of-science-board-to-list-goals-of.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Miele 1966" /> Wagner directed the trustees to devise ideas for converting the pavilion to a museum.<ref name="Miele 1966">{{Cite news |last=Miele |first=Alfred |date=February 11, 1966 |title=Center Needs Space – & Vice Versa |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-center-needs-space-vice-v/148978114/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=723 |archive-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908012309/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-center-needs-space-vice-v/148978114/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The pavilion was to be taken over by a nonprofit museum,<ref>{{cite news |date=September 26, 1965 |title=World's Fair Arranging Super Rummage Sale |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=E8 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|155262802}}}}</ref> and the U.S. government also planned to give the Space Park to the Hall of Science.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferretti |first=Fred |date=July 11, 1965 |title=Big Park To Follow The Fair |work=Boston Globe |page=31 |id={{ProQuest|366542044}}}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 192">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=192}}</ref> The second and final season of the fair ran from April 21<ref name="Samuel pp. 73–74">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=73–74}}</ref> to October 17, 1965.<ref name="Samuel p. 83; Tirella pp. 320–321">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=83}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=320–321}}</ref> During that season, the Hall of Science hosted science demonstrations.<ref name="Hornaday 1965">{{cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Mary |date=April 21, 1965 |title=N.Y. World's Fair offers thrilling 'college courses': Chinese splendor Space rendezvous Visits by astronauts |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=4 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510781727}}}}</ref> The U.S. government also added exhibits to the Space Park to celebrate notable events in [[spaceflight]];<ref name="Hornaday 1965" /> for instance, the spacecraft from the [[Gemini 4]] mission was displayed during mid-1965.<ref name="nyt-1965-07-18">{{Cite news |last=Rusk |first=Howard A. |date=July 18, 1965 |title=Gemini 4 at the Fair; Spacecraft to Join Outstanding List Of Exhibits in Many Fields of Science |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/18/archives/gemini-4-at-the-fair-spacecraft-to-join-outstanding-list-of.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609183640/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/18/archives/gemini-4-at-the-fair-spacecraft-to-join-outstanding-list-of.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Hall of Science needed at least $5 million to continue operating after the fair. That funding had not been raised by the end of the fair, prompting the pavilion's temporary closure.<ref name="Samuel p. 192" />