3. NYCHA at the 1939 World’s Fair

The NYCHA exhibit at the 1939-40 World’s Fair, June 8, 1940. La Guardia and Wagner Archives, La Guardia Community College/The City University of New York, courtesy of the New York City Housing Authority

Affordable housing was such a hot topic (as it is today) that there was a showcase about NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. “Empowered to demolish slums and erect low rent housing,” the agency proclaimed and developments like Queensbridge Housesand Red Hook Houses were used as ideal visions of future cities.