Missouri
Missouri's glass-enclosed pavilion presents the theme "First in the Air... First in Space." Among its exhibits are a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane in which Charles A. Lindbergh made his historic New York - Paris flight in May 1927, and the two space capsules, Mercury and Gemini. There are also mementos of famous Missourians, a display sponsored by nine private electric utilities, and separate exhibits depicting the industrial development and natural resources of the state, the city of St. Louis, and Kansas City. A snack bar features foods said to have originated at the 1904 fair in St. Louis.
![Across Grand Central Parkway towards Missouri Across Grand Central Parkway towards Missouri](images/missouri-1.jpg)
The pavilion was conveniently located next to one of the bridges linking the Transportation Area to the main grounds near the New York State pavilion. This brought a steady stream of potential visitors right to the pavilion entrance, where a Mercury capsule helped draw them inside. (CD #TBD Set 825 #33)
![Missouri - Spirit of St. Louis Missouri - Spirit of St. Louis](images/missouri-2.jpg)
"Spirit of St. Louis." An exact replica of the famous plane, made in 1955 for the movie The Spirit of St. Louis, hangs from the ceiling of the pavilion. (CD #30 Pana-Vue #641W4)
![Missouri - Mercury Capsule Missouri - Mercury Capsule](images/missouri-mercury.jpg)
Space Capsules. A replica of the Mercury capsule, Friendship 7, is on display outside the pavilion. On it is a plaque engraved with the autographs of all the astronauts. An actual-sized Gemini moon capsule is inside the pavilion. Both capsules were built by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, a St. Louis company. (CD #TBD Set 466 #16)
![Missouri - Snacks and Souvenirs Missouri - Snacks and Souvenirs](images/missouri-snack-bar.jpg)
Snacks and Souvenirs. Both the snack bar and the pavilion's souvenir shops specialize in regional items (Missouri hams, corncob pipes). The snack bar also sells some all-American favorites said to have been introduced in the period of the St. Louis Fair of 1904: hot dogs, ice cream cones and iced tea. (CD #TBD Set 361 #74)
Want more information on the Missouri pavilion?
5-24-64 - Groundbreaking booklet