Texas Centennial Exposition
texas centennial exposition world fair presented june november fair park dallas texas celebration th anniversary texas independence mexico also celebrated texas western american culture building constructed exposition many remain today notable example art deco architecture attracting six million people including u president franklin roosevelt exposition credited buffering dallas great depression texas centennial exposition held fair park dallas celebrate th anniversary texas independence mexico also celebration texas western culture three texas city dallas houston san antonio competed host exposition dallas receiving nod texas centennial commission offered largest cash commitment existing facility state fair texas strong group leader george dahl director general group architect designed building constructed exposition fair park landscaped expanse comprising acre structure remain representing one largest intact grouping world fair building open space remaining united state chief among building texas hall state completed opening exposition texas centennial exposition held fair park dallas june – november event attracted visitor cost around million exposition credited buffering dallas great depression creating job giving million boost local economy cavalcade texas historical pageant covering four century texas history one popular attraction exposition hall negro life another popular attraction believed first recognition africanamerican culture world fair hall decorated four mural celebrated painter aaron douglas texas centennial olympics held cotton bowl hosted first integrated public athletic competition history south universal produced newsreel preparation centennial beauty pageant show model attempting fit lifesized cutout texas centennial committee concept perfect figure celebrated federal theatre project production macbeth adapted directed orson welles allblack cast featured august – new band shell seat openair amphitheatre production one talkedabout feature exposition drew large enthusiastic audience many first opportunity see professional dramatic performance african american actor integrated seating unique experience theatergoer dallas president franklin roosevelt visited exposition widely publicized event june gene autrys film big show filmed location show many building event event centennial exposition required massive publicity effort promotion department stymied lack photograph never state photographed advertising purpose centennial exposition hired polly smith travel state tell story texas photo successful fivemonth run texas centennial exposition closed exhibit changed reopened following year greater texas panamerican exposition fair park texas centennial building designated national historic landmark october national building museum washington dc opened exhibition titled designing tomorrow america world fair exhibition available view september prominently featured texas centennial exposition fair park hall state history dallas texas – video archival film footage texas centennial exposition texas archive moving image photo texas centennial exposition hosted portal texas history light color magic texas exposition popular mechanic december — pp –