Midway Theatre World's Fair Films on June 10 at 7 PM - You're Invited!

Come celebrate the 75th anniversary of the 1939 World's Fair and the 50th anniversary of the 1964 World's Fair by attending two complimentary films on June 10 at 7 PM at the historic Midway Theatre, 108-22 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills. With much gratitude to the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce and Regal Cinemas.

Trylon Theater in Forest Hills Patch - A 1939 World's Fair Legacy Never Ceases

The 1939 Trylon Theater as boasted in 1941 in The Theatre Catalog

The Trylon Theater after its 60-year run in Dec 1999. A time when the facade's most significant Art Deco features with international ties remained intact.

The TRYLON THEATER is your Rego-Forest Preservation Council Chairman's latest installation in the Local History column for Forest Hills Patch. 

This theater at 98-81 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills had cultural, architectural, and historical significance to the 1939 – 1940 World's Fair, which was held in Flushing Meadows Park, and categorized by the 700-ft spire Trylon (pyramid) and 180-ft Perisphere (globe) monuments. It was the “Theater of Tomorrow,” since the theme of the 1939 World’s Fair was the “World of Tomorrow,” where exhibits emphasized technological improvements. Social and cultural change led to new waves of immigrants. The marquee once boasted The Wizard of Oz and Gone With The Wind. 

With the exception of its closure in 1999, and the jackhammering of significant Art Deco features in 2005 despite a community preservation movement and political controversy, you can read an excerpt of its intriguing 60-year chapter of what defined a neighborhood theater with international ties. Please share your memories: http://foresthills.patch.com/articles/trylon-theatre 

Thankfully hosted on the 1939 New York World's Fair (Reaction Grid) website, you can read more about the Committee To Save The Trylon Theater (which led to the creation of Rego-Forest Preservation Council in late 2006): http://www.1939nyworldsfair.com/worlds_fair/trylon_theater.htm In short, when former councilmember, Melinda Katz, did NOT support landmarking sites in Forest Hills, the Landmarks Preservation Commission backed off from the Trylon Theater. Sometimes public officials forget why they were elected.

Art Deco glory! The Trylon Theater entrance pavilion after closure in Dec 1999. It features a Trylon Monument on the mosaic ticket booth with a central 3D mirror-image on the terrazzo floor, which is then accompanied by Art Deco chevrons in mosaic tiles.

Art Deco travesty in 2005: Hard to believe that this was all that remained of the above image, consisting of the priceless ticket booth and entrance pavilion, as a demolition crew was told to destroy this artifact.

2005: Bad enough the lobby was gutted, but the back-lit mosaic Trylon fountain wasn't even spared.

The World of Tomorrow-themed cloth mural for the Trylon Theater, a "Theater of Tomorrow." Sadly, this work of art alongside the proscenium wasn't preserved when the building underwent a conversion.

After viewing these photos and reading its history, the question on most people's minds becomes.........

 Wouldn't it have been much easier to work together to preserve and creatively reuse the Trylon Theater's historic Art Deco features, while undergoing conversion to a cultural center in 2005?

Eyewitness of 4-Alarm Fire in Forest Hills: May 23rd around 8:15 PM - 10:30 PM

To The Media:

Our heart goes out to the community and local business owners. On Sunday, May 23rd, around 8:15 PM, a 4-alarm fire began on the corner candy/convenience shop of 99th St and 66th Ave, and extended to the other 99th St shops towards 66th Rd in Forest Hills, NY. Firefighters were also observed on the Queens Blvd frontage.


A number of long-term "mom and pop" businesses which are dear to the neighborhood, such as a candy/convenience store, laundromat, a barber, a fruit store, and a dress shop amongst others were affected on the 99th Street side. The 4 corner businesses were completely destroyed. These have been shops since the 1939 World's Fair, and some are owned by immigrants who established their business from the bottom up. The same development wraps around the corner to Queens Blvd, but fortunately Trylon Liquors, Trylon Vet Care, and Danny's Antiques were spared from the extensive damages. The historic former Trylon Theater, which has ties to the 1939 World's Fair (now a Russian community establishment), has suffered smoke damage and a partial ceiling collapse. The famed Tower Diner, which was formerly Emigrant Saving Bank with its Colonial clock tower, also suffered smoke damage. Thankfully, no one was killed, and at least 1 cat or other pets from the vet are believed to be rescued. 

I witnessed the bulk of the fire until 10:30 PM. I grew up in Forest Hills for the past 27 years, and have never seen such a potent local fire. There was way over 150 local residents at the scene, and nearly 200 firefighters. It felt as if a majority of the neighborhood came out to observe and mingle with their family and friends. Citizens united in solidarity. I observed tears and shock.

I captured 129 photos from the early stages. Feel free to feature the photos in your stories, as well as my personal account, and grant credit to "Preservationist/Photographer Michael Perlman." Please cover and investigate this catastrophe. Although hope is grim in times like this, we hope the infrastructure and businesses will recover.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157624123080640/

- Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Chair

http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/
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