{"value"=>"<p>The Town of Tomorrow occupied a plot of land on the Fairgrounds dedicated to the display of fifteen demonstration houses. The homes were designed to present a range of current modern and traditional architectural trends built with the latest in materials, methods and equipment. The concept, noted a staff member in a bid to draw industry participation, was to provide visitors with a glimpse into the possibilities for building homes in the immediate tomorrow. The Town also included a Domestic Utilities Building, featuring basement-related items such as boilers (the temporary houses could not accommodate basements). The records include the correspondence of directors C. Stanley Taylor, Jordan Hill, C.L. Lee and Edward F. Wilke with participating architects, decorators and manufacturers of building materials, appliances, furniture and other products. Demonstration home booklets provide house floor plans, promote sponsors and advertise products. Construction progress files include correspondence regarding the decision to drop six houses from the original plan (this change accounts for the gap in the house number sequence; later changes resulted in a discrepancy in house numbers between the first and second seasons). Otto Teegan's files include correspondence with architects, detailing the design and construction process. Exhibitor Participation records include the Fair's desperate (in its own words) appeals to entice companies to participate. This section also includes printed material advertising home materials and products. Publicity records provide descriptions and photographs of the Town of Tomorrow homes.</p> <p>Finding the Town of Tomorrow homes lacking in the area of innovative interiors, the Fair launched a separate program to feature interior design for the 1940 season. America at Home was a juried exhibit of sixteen rooms created by prominent designers, decorators and architects. Special design-related programs and events accompanied the exhibition throughout the season. Records here include the correspondence of director Louise Bonney Leicester, associate director and designer Shepard Vogelgesand, and assistant manager Martin Oechsner with participating exhibitors, architects, designers, furniture manufacturers and jury members. The Designer and Craftspeople files include correspondence with designer Gilbert Rohde and the New York City Housing Authority regarding an exhibit modeled upon a room in the Vladek Houses, the first municipally-funded housing project in New York City. Exhibits, Programs and Events files include photographs of the interiors and information on events such as the Live Dinner Party, where visitors were instructed in proper dining etiquette.</p>"}