The iconic Worldport Terminal at JFK International Airport has been named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s (NTHP) list of 11 Most Endangered Places.
Image courtesy of Paul Stipkovich
The terminal, once home to Pan Am, opened in 1960 and symbolizes America’s entry into the Jet Age. The first commercial flights of the Boeing 707, the first “modern” jetliner, departed from the Worldport Terminal. The terminal was designed to allow for aircraft to be parked under the partial overhang.
The flying saucer-shaped building has been featured in several Hollywood films, as well as the Mad Men inspired Pan Am TV series. A Pan Am Boeing 747 and the Worldport appear in the James Bond film Live and Let Die, and the terminal is featured in The Family Man starring Nicolas Cage, and That Touch of Mink with Doris Day.
The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey is planning to demolish the iconic structure. Aviation enthusiasts and preservationists have banded together to save the building from demolition. Their organization, Save the Worldport, spearheaded the nomination to the NTHP’s “Most Endangered” list.
Organizers posted this message on the Save the Worldport Facebook page:
Despite the excitement, we also want to call attention to the word “endangered.” This means the building is far from safe. And so we also hope that this announcement will motivate architects, engineers, politicians, preservation organizations and potential investors to share our vision and become actively involved with the campaign to save this irreplaceable historic landmark.
Photo by Bob Proctor via Wikimedia Commons
Preservationists have proposed several alternatives to demolishing the Worldport include using the building as a dedicated or premier terminal, as a connector between Terminals 2 and 4, or to house a museum, restaurants, shops, aircraft observation space, airport employee daycare, or for other purposes.
In 2003, the TWA Flight Center, at JFK International Airport was placed on the NTHP’s list, and is now a protected landmark. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has made the historic art deco terminal at DCA a preservation showcase.
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As the daughter of a TWA employee, I always viewed Panam as the competition, but I would love to see this building saved. Thanks for this delightful blast from the past post.
Sadly, the wrecking crews have arrived.
These pictures bring back some great memories of the Sixties. Bravo to the Save the Worldport organizers!
Save the Worldport is circulating a petition if you want to help.
It IS so very 60s