Centuries of Progress: America's World's Fairs, 1853-1982 May 22, 2011

'Centuries of Progress' is the story of America's world's fairs: from New York City's Crystal Palace in 1853 to Knoxville, Tennessee's 1982 fair. Through 120 artifacts, the exhibition details how fairs were clearinghouses of ideas and innovation that celebrated progress, trade and goodwill. The Long Island Museum is the only East Coast venue for this nationally traveling exhibition. A major section of the exhibition will detail the 1939 and 1964 New York World's Fairs, pivotally influential life experiences for many museum visitors. Both the 1939 and the 1964 fairs were far more than political moments and consumer product emporiums. Each also featured the heavy involvement of artists and critics.