by Tom Meyers
"Our last summer in the sun" is a phrase we associate with many things, but here in Fort Lee, for those of the baby boom generation, we link it to September 12, 1971, the date when the gates of Palisades Amusement Park closed, never to open again except in our collective memory.
How do you celebrate a sad event like this--one that cut us off from our past of summertime swims in the world’s largest outdoor saltwater pool, from free rock and roll shows hosted by Cousin Brucie on the stage of the park atop the cliffs, of Little Miss America pageants, of the Cyclone rollercoaster and so many memorable rides, concessions and, lest we forget, the famous Palisades Amusement Park french fries?
Well, members of the Fort Lee Historical Society decided to celebrate the occasion like the proverbial Irish Wake – with stories, smiles, laughter and remembrances of a time not so very long ago in terms of our history. Such an occasion allows us also to increase our living history program as we hope to interview those left in the area who have memories of the park, who worked there and who in reality were as much of the park as was the Ferris wheel or the Circus Restaurant.
We will videotape numerous such individuals in our museum with this exhibit as a backdrop. This will allow future generations to get in touch with this period of time and be aware of the force of nature that was Palisades Amusement Park in Fort Lee and Cliffside Park from 1898 to 1971.
One such person we plan on interviewing is Sol Abrams, who was in charge of all the park’s publicity during the years Irving Rosenthal ran the park and that include the park’s heyday of the 1960s. Sol will go down in public relations history for his scheme to have an elephant placed on large water skis on the Hudson River to promote the park – this event is preserved on newsreel footage that can be seen at the Fort Lee Museum during this exhibit.
The Fort Lee Historical Society also thanks Palisades Amusement Park historian Vince Gargiulo for use of his documentary, Palisades Amusement Park: A Century of Fond Memories. We will have Vince on hand to introduce the film during a formal screening at the Fort Lee Historic Park Theatre in October.
Vince has also lent the exhibit some very special artifacts from his personal collection, and they make this exhibit a must see for any fan of Palisades Amusement Park. The exhibit includes rare artifacts and photos from the Fort Lee Historical Society archive.
Museum hours are Sat. and Sun., 12 to 4 p.m., Wed., 7 to 9 p.m. and by appointment for groups. For more information about the exhibit, which runs through January 2012, and a complete list of special events, visit the Fort Lee Historical Society online or call 201-592-3580.
How do you celebrate a sad event like this--one that cut us off from our past of summertime swims in the world’s largest outdoor saltwater pool, from free rock and roll shows hosted by Cousin Brucie on the stage of the park atop the cliffs, of Little Miss America pageants, of the Cyclone rollercoaster and so many memorable rides, concessions and, lest we forget, the famous Palisades Amusement Park french fries?
Well, members of the Fort Lee Historical Society decided to celebrate the occasion like the proverbial Irish Wake – with stories, smiles, laughter and remembrances of a time not so very long ago in terms of our history. Such an occasion allows us also to increase our living history program as we hope to interview those left in the area who have memories of the park, who worked there and who in reality were as much of the park as was the Ferris wheel or the Circus Restaurant.
We will videotape numerous such individuals in our museum with this exhibit as a backdrop. This will allow future generations to get in touch with this period of time and be aware of the force of nature that was Palisades Amusement Park in Fort Lee and Cliffside Park from 1898 to 1971.
One such person we plan on interviewing is Sol Abrams, who was in charge of all the park’s publicity during the years Irving Rosenthal ran the park and that include the park’s heyday of the 1960s. Sol will go down in public relations history for his scheme to have an elephant placed on large water skis on the Hudson River to promote the park – this event is preserved on newsreel footage that can be seen at the Fort Lee Museum during this exhibit.
The Fort Lee Historical Society also thanks Palisades Amusement Park historian Vince Gargiulo for use of his documentary, Palisades Amusement Park: A Century of Fond Memories. We will have Vince on hand to introduce the film during a formal screening at the Fort Lee Historic Park Theatre in October.
Vince has also lent the exhibit some very special artifacts from his personal collection, and they make this exhibit a must see for any fan of Palisades Amusement Park. The exhibit includes rare artifacts and photos from the Fort Lee Historical Society archive.
Museum hours are Sat. and Sun., 12 to 4 p.m., Wed., 7 to 9 p.m. and by appointment for groups. For more information about the exhibit, which runs through January 2012, and a complete list of special events, visit the Fort Lee Historical Society online or call 201-592-3580.
