The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture has invited COAA to participate in their yearlong
celebration of the 100th Anniversary of their Dentzel Menagerie Carousel with an organ rally at the park in
August. The carousel building was restored last summer, and Wurlitzer 165 organ was moved back into its
updated home in September.
Glen Echo Park was first developed in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly, which taught the sciences,
arts, languages, and literature. The Chautauqua lasted for just one season, and by the early 1900s, the site
had become Glen Echo Amusement Park — the premier amusement park serving the Washington area
until 1968, when it closed. Glen Echo was a Trolley Park with a carousel, roller coaster, bumper cars, arcade,
swimming pool and ball room for dancing. Many of Glen Echo Park’s buildings and design elements were
influenced by Art Deco.
Rosa Patton did the painting restoration of the carousel and organ from 1983 to 2003. With additional work
during the recent building restoration. Durward Center has restored the organ three times since 1978 and
had promised to have it in tip top shape for us in August. The organ had been converted to use Caliola rolls
and Durward’s restored it back to its original 165 format which required replacing pipes.
celebration of the 100th Anniversary of their Dentzel Menagerie Carousel with an organ rally at the park in
August. The carousel building was restored last summer, and Wurlitzer 165 organ was moved back into its
updated home in September.
Glen Echo Park was first developed in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly, which taught the sciences,
arts, languages, and literature. The Chautauqua lasted for just one season, and by the early 1900s, the site
had become Glen Echo Amusement Park — the premier amusement park serving the Washington area
until 1968, when it closed. Glen Echo was a Trolley Park with a carousel, roller coaster, bumper cars, arcade,
swimming pool and ball room for dancing. Many of Glen Echo Park’s buildings and design elements were
influenced by Art Deco.
Rosa Patton did the painting restoration of the carousel and organ from 1983 to 2003. With additional work
during the recent building restoration. Durward Center has restored the organ three times since 1978 and
had promised to have it in tip top shape for us in August. The organ had been converted to use Caliola rolls
and Durward’s restored it back to its original 165 format which required replacing pipes.
Glen Echo Park: 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812
