2020.025.023

This book contains pictures and descriptions of 30 amusement parks across all New England states, except Vermont. Depending on the age of the park, pictures are from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The park descriptions can include initial cost, damage due to fire or storm over the years, rides - especially roller coasters - are described for each park, along with pictures. Some parks offered dancing, and food menus are provided too. The book starts with an overview of the growth of amusement parks during the second half of the 19th century, when the strict puritanical lifestyle was relaxed. The industry started along the coastline, but as transportation became available, parks grew up in areas that had previously not been available. New England's first real amusement park was Ridge Hill Farm in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Built by William Emerson Baker, it was known throughout the country as 'fairyland' during the 1870's and 1880's.

Another attraction of the parks was ballroom dancing. The book chronicles the parks that drew the entertainment names of the Big Band Era. The book also presents the popular outdoor theatres that thrived in the parks before the end of the nineteenth century. You will also find a partial list of all New England amusement parks since 1890 at the end of the book. All six states are represented in this list.

Merrimack Park is featured and so is Canobie Lake.

slight wear on the edges of the book