-
Road Closure September 12-14, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Glen Echo, MD-Starting Wednesday September 12th, until Friday, September 14th 2012 Clara Barton Parkway between Chain Bridge and the Glen Echo turnaround from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day to complete road shoulder work created by storm damage.
-
Recent Bicycle Thefts
Bicycle thefts along the G. W. Memorial Parkway at Theodore Roosevelt Island, Rock Creek Park, and other places have been increasing. Thieves have been cutting locks and stealing bicycles. Please report suspicious activity to Park Police at 703 285 1000
-
**VIDEOS ARE TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE**
The videos in the Visitor Center are temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvience.
History & Culture
Glen Echo Park Glen Echo Park has been a park dedicated to the people for over 100 years. Glen Echo Park has survived three different owners and uses, Chautauqua, Amusement Park and National Park. A short history of Glen Echo Park is available for you to download.
Edwin and Edward Baltzley Twin brothers Edwin and Edward Baltzley invented a reversible egg beater and recevied $250,000 for their invention. They invested in real estate and purchased over 500 acres of land. They named their new town "Glen Echo on the Potomac." 
The Chautauqua at Glen Echo Edwin and Edward Baltzley, inventors, industrialists, and real estate developers, hoped to build upon the banks of the Potomac River a suburban community free of the urban pollution of late-nineteenth century Washington, DC. In order to compete with other suburban developments, the Baltzley brothers planned a series of opulent attractions for their would-be community. June 1891, their arts and culture program included lectures and concerts in a six thousand person amphitheater, special classes in Bible studies, Greek and Hebrew, physical training regiments, and university extension courses. Hundreds flocked to the site to picnic, attend lectures on American history by Jane Meade Welch, courses on ancient Egypt by Lysander Dickerman, and concerts by John Philip Sousa. Clara Barton, presided over the Women's Executive Committee for the Chautauqua itself. The inaugural season's success warranted an extension well into August. At the beginning of the 1892 season, rumor had spread throughout the District of Columbia that Glen Echo was rampant with malaria. Regardless of the validity of these accusations, when combined with the brother's precarious finances, the Chautauqua site fell into disuse The Chautauqua Tower is the only surviving building of the Chautauqua era at Glen Echo. Today the Chautauqua Tower is used as a residential art studio. Here is a picture of the Chautauqua Tower today. 
The Amusement Park at Glen Echo In the early 20th century it was turned into an amusement park, which operated until the late 1960s. The trolley car from Washington, D.C. brought many people. Each year they added a new ride or attraction. These included the Crystal Pool, the Spanish Ballroom, the Midway, the carousel, a dodgem, skeeball alleys and shooting galleries, a penny arcade, the Pretzel, the Whip, the Coaster Dips, and the Flying Scooter. Glen Echo Amusement Park became a family playground with wholesome attractions. Like many public facilities in and around the Washington area, Glen Echo was restricted to whites for 63 out of the first 70 years of its history. On June 30, 1960 a group of college students staged a sit-in protest on the carousel and five African American students were subsequently arrested. As a result, an eleven-week civil rights campaign began; students and residents of Bannockburn alike came out in force. The park opened the doors to all races in the 1961 season. During the amusement park glory days, as an amusement park the 1921 Denzel carousel was the jewel of the park and it still remains the most treasured centerpiece of the park. When the amusement park closed, its rides were sold, including the carousel. But local residents mounted an energetic campaign to raise private funds to buy the carousel back and donate it to the National Park Service. On one condition: it, and the organ, would remain at Glen Echo Park and be operated for public enjoyment. Here is a picture of the 1921 Dentzel carousel today. 
The National Park Service In 1971, after the federal government obtained the land, the National Park Service began managing the park. The National Park Service collaborated with artists and arts organizations to create a rich arts program in the spirit of the original Chautauqua movement. Today the park is managed by the nonprofit Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, Inc. on behalf of Montgomery County, Maryland. The Park presents year-round activities in dance, theater, visual arts and environmental education. Among the most popular activities at Glen Echo Park are weekly dances in the Spanish Ballroom, performances by the Puppet Co. and Adventure Theatre, programs sponsored by Discovery Creek Children's Museum, and special events such as Family Day and the annual Labor Day Art Show. The historic Dentzel carousel (dating back to 1921) is open May through September. Carousel Schedule:April 28 - June 30 The Puppet Co.A puppet theatre designed and built specifically for puppetry offers visitors to Glen Echo Park a variety of puppet performances throughout the year. Hand Puppets, rod puppets, body puppets, marionettes and shadow puppets bring children's stories to life. Adventure TheatreThe childrens theater stages live productions of fables, fairy tales, popular stories, musicals and children's classics for children ages four and up. Adventure Theatre also offers drama classes and workshops. The theatre is located in the Arcade building at Glen Echo Park. Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region(previously Discovery Creek Children's Museum) Explore science and nature through hands-on activities at this small museum inside Glen Echo Park. Outdoor environmental programs are offered for toddlers, families, school groups and scouts. The facility is located in the former Stables building. Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car PavilionGlen Echo Park offers dance events and classes in waltz, swing, contra, salsa, and more. Dances are for all ages and are open to the public. Tickets are $7 - $15 and are sold at the door. See the dance schedule. Classes, Camps and WorkshopsGlen Echo Park offers classes in painting, photography, glass blowing and fusion, pottery, crafts for children and adults, music and dance for all ages, theater and more. See the current schedule. |
 |
|
