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"Glen
Echo Amusement
Park" by Paul McGehee shows the beloved Maryland amusement park as it
appeared in the Summer of 1954. Glen Echo Park is in a beautiful
woodland setting just outside of Washington, D.C., not far from the
banks of the Potomac River. This vintage view from the picnic grounds
in front of the "Spanish Ballroom" shows the historic Dentzel carousel,
the legendary roller coaster "Coaster Dips," the Popcorn Building, the
airplane ride "Flying Skooter," the original stone Chautauqua tower and
much, much more. Place yourself in this scene amongst the cheerful
crowds of over half a century ago...a warm, sunny Summer's day, an ice
cream cone in your hand, and a ticket to ride "Coaster Dips" in your
pocket! This McGehee masterpiece will transport you to a different
time period, and put a smile on your face every time you look at it.
Glen Echo Park began in 1891 as a part of the National Chautauqua
Assembly by the Baltzley brothers, but over the years turned into an
amusement park loaded with rides and arcade attractions. A few years
after ceasing operations in 1968, Glen Echo Park became part of the
National Park Service, where to this day the remnants of its amusement
park past live alongside arts and crafts studios, music and dance
stages, and more. Glen Echo's "Puppet Company" theatre and "Adventure
Theatre" are famous for their wonderful shows put on daily for children
and the young at heart. The famous Spanish Ballroom, which played host
to many of the top acts in the country from the swing era to early rock
'n' roll, has been restored to its former glory and is a still a
popular dance spot. The beautifully-restored 1921 Dentzel Carousel
still runs during the Summer months...and has for over 100 years! The
tunes
played by the Wurlitzer Band Organ still make one dream while astride a
painted pony. Magical. Glen Echo has truly come full-circle from its
early days as part of the Chautauqua circuit, to being the arts and
entertainment venue it was originally intended to be. "Glen Echo
Amusement Park" is available as a limited edition art print, faithfully
reproduced from the original oil painting.
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