Kitty later recounted:
Many workers at the booth have told the same story: the great attraction some visitors felt toward Baba's picture [a large color photograph taken by Joseph Harb at the Myrtle Beach Center in 1956]. They would suddenly stop dead as they passed, and pause before asking who he was, and even after hearing his name would remain spellbound. A few might refuse the folder (given free); sufficient to them was the memory of that unique person. His name could be clearly seen under the portrait on a beautiful bronze plaque bearing the words MEHER BABA .
Baba's picture holding a baby goat (taken by Elizabeth Patterson during the Blue Bus Tour 1939) was also displayed, and this message for children was sent:
I love small animals, for they are part of my creation. But I love children much more, for with them I am the eternal child, and they in their happy play are my playmates.
The New York World's Fair remained open until October 1964. It reopened in April 1965 and stayed open until October.
Baba had promised Ramakrishnan that he would bless the Poona Center when the building work was completed, and directed him to arrange the inauguration in a simple and quiet manner because of Baba's seclusion. The meeting hall being built could comfortably accommodate 700 people, and bathrooms and toilets were also provided, as well as an office and a room for Baba to rest in. The work was finished and all arrangements for its opening done.
On Friday, 1 May 1964, for the first time since his arrival in Poona that summer (other than going to the doctor's office), Baba stepped out of the confines of Guruprasad and was driven to the Avatar Meher Baba Poona Center at 441/1 Somwar Peth. Because of his strict seclusion and the consequent ban on all programs and darshan, no public celebration was permitted by him. Only close lovers and their families were invited. But they, in turn, brought relatives and friends, so the number increased to more than 500 people.
Meherjee's daughter, Pervin, drove Baba and the mandali to the center, where they arrived at 8:55 A.M. The assembly of lovers heartily hailed Baba as his car reached the gate. The car was driven to the verandah outside the main hall, which was decorated with Baba's seven colors as depicted in his flag.