Descriptive Summary
San Antonio Fair,
Inc.
San Antonio Fair, Inc.,
Records
1962-1995
(Bulk
1964-1968) Materials are
primarily in English, with some materials
in Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
MS 31
276.4 linear feet (560 boxes)
University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections
San Antonio
Fair, Inc., incorporated in December 1962 to formally organize the planning,
fundraising and designing of HemisFair '68 (the 1968 World's Fair) in San
Antonio, Texas.
The records
of the San Antonio Fair, Inc., document the planning, lobbying, financing and
construction of HemisFair '68. The records consist of correspondence, meeting
minutes, committee reports, financial records, newspaper and magazine articles,
press releases, photographic materials, blueprints, maps and plats, artwork,
oral history interview transcripts, scrapbooks of clippings and ephemera, and
audiovisual materials (film and sound recordings). Most of the records predate
the opening of the fair.
Processing Information
Processed by T. Matthew De Waelsche, April 1998, and Angela McClendon,
October 2007.
This collection was processed with support from Marshall Steves of San
Antonio, Tex. Preservation reformatting of audiovisual materials was completed
in 2007 with support from the National Film Preservation Foundation and the
Institute of Texan Cultures.
Accessions described in this finding aid: 1992-05, 1998-06, 1998-42,
2001-41, 2004-27.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory:
DACS, EAD, and
TARO 2 EAD Editing Instructions.
Acquisition Information
The San Antonio Fair, Inc. Records were donated to the Trinity
University Library in October 1968, immediately following the closing of
HemisFair '68. The records came to Trinity from the executive offices of San
Antonio Fair, Inc., at the fair's headquarters in the German-English School.
They remained at the Trinity University Library until May 1985. During this
time, many records were lost due to mold and a lack of proper preservation.
When the records were transferred to the San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) in
1985, they were stored in the Library's Hertzberg annex, where they were
reboxed and given some preservation treatment. The SAPL donated the records to
University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections in 1992 (Acc. 1992-05).
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], San Antonio Fair, Inc., Records, 1962-1995
(Bulk 1964-1968), MS 31, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Access Restrictions
Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by staff when reviewing photographic materials.
Original audiovisual
materials are closed to patron use. Some use copies are available in the
collection.
Otherwise, there are no restrictions on these materials.
Usage Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the San Antonio Fair, Inc.,
Records must be obtained from University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Index Terms
Personal Names
Gaines, James.
Gonzalez, Henry B. (Henry
Barbosa), 1916-
Harris, Jerome
K.
Sinkin, William,
1913-
Steves, Marshall
T.
Zachry, Henry Bartell,
1901-1984
Organizations
HemisFair (1968 : San
Antonio, Tex.)--Buildings.
HemisFair (1968 : San
Antonio, Tex.)--History.
HemisFair (1968 : San
Antonio, Tex.). Woman's Pavilion.
San Antonio Fair,
Inc.
Subjects
Exhibitions--Texas--San
Antonio--Planning.
Fairs--Texas--San
Antonio.
Tourism--Texas--San
Antonio.
Urban renewal--Texas--San
Antonio.
Locations
San Antonio
(Tex.)--History.
Genres/Formats
45 rpm
records.
Audiotapes.
Audiovisual
materials.
Black-and-white
film.
Blueprints (reprographic
copies).
Clippings.
Color film
(film).
Correspondence.
Maps.
Minutes.
Oral
histories.
Photographs.
Reports.
Scrapbooks.
Sound
recordings.
Videocassettes.
Historical Note
San Antonio Fair, Inc., incorporated in December 1962 to formally
organize the planning, fundraising and designing of HemisFair '68. When
HemisFair '68 opened on April 6, 1968, it held the honor of being the only
world's fair that year to be sanctioned by
the Paris-based Bureau of International Expositions and the first world's fair
ever to be held in Texas. The fair, held in downtown San Antonio, Texas, was
open for six months from April 6, 1968 to October 6, 1968.
The idea for HemisFair '68 originated in 1958, with a handful of San
Antonio businessmen who had a vision of a world's fair in San Antonio, Texas.
Department store executive Jerome K. Harris proposed a fair to be held in 1968
to celebrate 250th anniversary of the founding of San Antonio and the shared
cultural heritage of San Antonio and its Latin American neighbors. His idea
gained the support of San Antonio Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, and local
businessmen William R. Sinkin, H. B. (Pat) Zachry, and James Gaines, who soon
began to cultivate support for HemisFair '68.
The organizing of the fair demanded years of planning, coordinated
investment, the support of all levels of city, state, and federal government,
and massive time and commitment from the persons involved. HemisFair '68 was
financed by: 450 San Antonio underwriters (local business firms and
individuals); voter-approved San Antonio City bonds; Urban Renewal Agency
funds; an appropriation of $4,500,000 by the Texas State Legislature; and two
appropriations ($125,000 in 1965 and $6.75 million in 1966) by the U.S.
Congress.
In keeping with Jerome K. Harris's original idea of celebrating the
shared cultural heritage of San Antonio and its neighbors, the theme of
HemisFair '68 was The Confluence of Civilizations in
the Americas. Approximately twenty governments and ten corporations
participated and sponsored educational and entertainment pavilions
communicating the theme to visitors.
Figures for attendance fell short of the initial predictions of 7.2
million persons, and were actually closer to 6.4 million people. Contributing
factors which may have influenced the lower-than-expected attendance included
the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King two days before the
fair opened and the assassination of presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy
in June 1968.
Despite the organizers' disappointment regarding attendance, hosting
and constructing HemisFair '68 had a broad impact on San Antonio, including
fostering urban renewal in the downtown area, retail development along the San
Antonio River Walk, and expansion of the local tourism industry.
HemisFair '68, the 1968 World's Fair, was the only formally sanctioned
world's fair held in the world during 1968 and was the first officially
recognized world's fair ever held in the southern half of the United
States.
Following is a chronology of the events related to the planning of the
HemisFair.
Chronology of Events, 1962-1968
January 28, 1962
U.S. Representative Henry B. Gonzalez meets with William
Sinkin, a leading local department store executive to discuss a
Fair of the Americas to celebrate the 250th
Anniversary of the founding of San Antonio.
February 15, 1962
Gonzalez and William R. Sinkin meet with 38 other leading
civic leaders at the Grenada Hotel. A nine-man Planning Council is established
and spends the remainder of the year collecting and analyzing data and meeting
with, and lobbying, local business, political and commercial leaders.
December 29, 1962
San Antonio Fair, Inc., is granted a charter by the State of
Texas. Incorporators for the organization are Sinkin, James M. Gaines (a
broadcasting executive with WOAI radio and television stations), and H. B.
(Pat) Zachry (industrialist, construction magnate and philanthropist).
January-March 1963
Economics Research Associates (ERA) of Los Angeles is
commissioned by the San Antonio Fair, Inc., to conduct a preliminary economic
feasibility study of a fair in San Antonio. Favorable results are released on
April 3. ERA conducts a series of subsequent studies as well.
April 1963
Underwriting campaign under the direction of businessman
Marshall T. Steves is officially launched. National Bank of Commerce makes the
initial pledge of $100,000 on March 23.
April 11, 1963
The first Executive Committee of San Antonio Fair, Inc., is
formed. Permanent officers are: Honorary Co-Chairmen of the Board, Congressman
Henry B. Gonzalez and Mayor Walter W. McAllister; Chairman of the Board, H.B.
(Pat) Zachry; President, William Sinkin; Vice-Presidents, Marshall Steves and
James M. Gaines; Secretary, John Daniels; and Treasurer, Bill Flannery.
October 9, 1963
The original underwriting goal of $6 million is surpassed.
More than $7.5 million in pledges had been received by the end of September
1963.
December 23, 1963
Ewen C. Dingwall, former Vice-President and General Manager of
Century 21, the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, is named Executive
Vice-President.
January 23, 1964
The historic German-English School, built in 1868, is chosen
as headquarters for HemisFair executive offices.
January 28, 1964
A seven-proposition $30 million bond issue, which includes
provisions for a new civic center and the city's portion of the Urban Renewal
land purchase price is overwhelmingly approved by local voters in every city
precinct.
February 1, 1964
A 90-acre site in downtown San Antonio is selected and
approved and site architects engineers begin correlating designs.
February 18, 1964
First annual meeting of Board of Directors.
March 11, 1964
Frank Manupelli is named General Manager.
April 1964
O'Neil Ford and Allison Peery are named as coordinating and
site planning architects.
April-May 1964
Robert Benjamin, of InfoPlan, a Mexico City public relations
firm, tour Central and South America and begin cultivating contacts for
HemisFair.
June 29, 1964
HemisFair staff moves from temporary quarters to the newly
renovated top floor of the north building of the German-English School.
August 1964
Promotional tours begin in major Mexican cities.
October 1, 1964
Formal discussions regarding federal participation begin at a
seminar in Washington D.C. featuring keynote speaker Assistant Secretary of
State Thomas Mann, President Lyndon Baines Johnson's top Latin American
expert.
October 1, 1964
William W. Phillips of Paris, France, appoint HemisFair
European Coordinator and official liaison to the Bureau of International
Expositions (B.I.E.), the official governing body recognizing and regulating
world's fairs.
October 28, 1964
Urban Renewal Agency allocates nearly $12.5 million for
purchase of the fair site. By the end of October 1964, a total of nearly $50
million had been pledged to support HemisFair.
November 24, 1964
William Sinkin resigns as President due to business pressures.
He remains as an advisor and is named an additional Honorary Co-Chairman and
head of the Opening Events Coordinating Committee.
November 26, 1964
The initial land purchase of the fair site is made.
December 8, 1964
Marshall Steves is elected President to replace Sinkin. John
H. White is elected First Vice-President. Seven other vice presidents are named
in a radical realignment of the board structure.
January 1, 1965
Architectural offices open in HemisFair headquarters.
February 9, 1965
Texas Secretary of State Ben Barnes addresses the second
annual Board of Directors meeting.
March 2, 1965
Formal application for U.S. participation and endorsement is
submitted.
April 6, 1965
Official rules and regulations conforming to B.I.E. standards
are adopted.
May 4, 1965
Ewen C. Dingwall resigns as Executive Vice-President over a
difference of opinion on policies with the Executive Committe. Dingwall remains
actively involved with the fair, becoming a Washington consultant and
publishing a weekly newsletter for HemisFair executives regarding federal
participation.
May 12, 1965
William Phillips gives preliminary presentation to B.I.E. in
Paris. Texas State Senate passes HemisFair Bill appropriating $7.5
million.
May 27-28, 1965
Texas State House of Representatives passes bill of $4.5
million at request of Governor John Connally.
June 21, 1965
Companion Bills are introduced in U.S. House of
Representatives by Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez and the U.S. Senate by Senate
Ralph Yarborough requesting funding for a study of federal participation in
HemisFair.
August 2, 1965
Fair dates (April 6 through October 6, 1968) are set by
Executive Committee.
August 12, 1965
James Gaines is named Executive Vice-President.
September 14, 1965
Governor John Connally accepts appointment as Commissioner
General of Fair.
September 28, 1965
Senate Passage of HemisFair bill. HemisFair symbol is
developed and officially adopted.
October 1965
Marshall Steves, Paul Howell and Carlos Freymann tour 13
European capitols lobbying for B.I.E. support.
October 6, 1965
HemisFair bill passes unanimously by House.
October 21, 1965
Favorable review of HemisFair application by B.I.E.
classification committee.
October 22, 1965
House and Senate agree on HemisFair bill. President Johnson
signs the bill officially recognizing the HemisFair and appropriating $125,000
for a preliminary study and architectural fees.
November 11, 1965
President Johnson signs a proclamation authorizing Secretary
of State Dean Rusk to invite foreign countries to participate in the HemisFair
and also recognizing Governor Connally as Commissioner General of the
Fair.
November 17, 1965
Official approval by the Bureau of International
Expositions.
December 29, 1965
Secretary of State Rusk sends invitations to 114 countries to
participate in HemisFair.
January, 1966
Urban Renewal Agency turns site over to the city.
January 15, 1966
Governor Connally unveils plans for Institute of Texan
Cultures (Texas State Pavilion) at press conference.
January 28, 1966
Pearl Brewing Co. becomes the first of 19 industrial
exhibitors to announce participation.
March 1966
HemisFair medal is signed into law by President
Johnson.
April 1, 1966
Lady Bird Johnson visits fair site.
April 7, 1966
Mexico becomes the first of 23 foreign governments to announce
participation.
July 24-August 1, 1966
Governor Connally leaves for a Latin American good will tour.
He signs Panama on July 26. On August 1, he has to cut his trip short because
of the Charles Whitman sniper shootings at the University of Texas at
Austin.
August 9, 1966
Agreement is reached on preservation of 20 historic homes on
fair site. Tower of the Americas construction let to H.A. Lott, Inc. and
Darragh & Lyda, Inc. (Lyda-Lott).
September 1, 1966
House passes $10 Million HemisFair bill.
September 14, 1966
James Gaines resigns.
September 15, 1966
Official visiting B.I.E. delegation arrives.
October 6-7, 1966
Senate and House pass $7.5 million HemisFair bill.
October 8, 1966
Final home on site is turned over to the fair.
October 16, 1966
President Johnson signs HemisFair bill.
October 21, 1966
Senate-House Committee vote $6.75 million appropriation for
federal participation.
October 26, 1966
President Johnson signs appropriation bill.
November 16, 1966
Frank Manupelli named Executive Vice-President, replacing
Gaines.
December 3, 1966
Bonds for Tower of the Americas construction is approved 2-1
by voters.
December 6, 1966
Mural by Carlos Merida is commissioned.
February 15, 1967
Pearl Pavilion groundbreaking
February 20, 1967
Institute of Texan Cultures groundbreaking
February 28, 1967
James Gaines recalled (he would later resign again).
March 2, 1967
New York Press Conference
March-April 1967
Latin American Ambassadors Visit
April 8, 1967
Federal Pavilion groundbreaking
September 19, 1967
Texas International Trade Center is announced.
September 26, 1967
Woman's Pavilion is announced.
April 6, 1968
HemisFair '68 opens.
October 6, 1968
HemisFair '68 closes.
Scope and Content Note
The records of the San Antonio Fair, Inc. span the years 1962 through 1995 and document the planning,
lobbying, financing and construction that resulted in HemisFair '68. The
records consist of correspondence; minutes of meetings; committee reports;
financial records; newspaper and magazine articles; press releases;
photographic materials; audio recordings; oversized maps and plats; artwork;
and scrapbooks of clippings and ephemera. The bulk of the records are
correspondence to and from Fair executives. Also well documented in the records
is demolition on the site and construction of the fairgrounds. Most of the
records predate the opening of the fair, with the bulk dates
1964-1968. There are a few materials from after the Fair, particularly from the
20th anniversary in 1988.
This collection is housed at UTSA's HemisFair Park Campus, though off-site access is also available at UTSA's John Peace Library.
Arrangement
Due to size, this inventory has been divided into
12 separate units which can be accessed by clicking on the highlighted
text:
- Homepage [this page]
-
Series 1:
Executive Officers
-
Series 2: Comptroller's Office
-
Series 3: Legal Department
-
Series 4: Entertainment Department
-
Series 5: Visitor and Exhibitor Relations
Department
-
Series 6: Site Development Department
-
Series 7: Public Relations Department (part 1)
-
Series 7: Public Relations Department (part 2)
-
Series 8: Printed Materials and Scrapbooks
-
Series 9: Trinity University Archives
-
Series 10: Ephemera
-
Series 11: Oversize Architectural Drawings, Blueprints, and
Plans
-
Series 12: Audiovisual Materials
Click on the headings above for a detailed description of these
papers.
Click here to proceed to Part 1 of the
finding aid.