Glen Echo Park

Andy and Leslie met us for lunch and a visit to Glen Echo Park, about 6 miles NW of our apartment. In the 1890s a Chautauqua site was established there. In the early 20th century, a small amusement park — with a carousel, bumper cars, and a large swimming pool — was opened on the site and it ran until 1968. Apparently the site was restricted for "whites only" until the early 1960s when civil rights protests led to a change in practice. After closing in the late 60s, the area fell into disuse. It came under the control of the National Park Service in 1971 and is now administered in cooperation with the NPS by the Glen Echo Park Partnership. The facilities have been restored to their art deco look. The carousel was running. On the day we visited, there was an art show in one building and a small music festival in the bumper car arcade. There are also arts and crafts studios and art classes offered on site. Under the gray skies, I wanted to capture the odd feel of style from a bygone era accentuated by the absence of people. (In fact, there were plenty of people around that day.)