Exploring Glen Echo Park, MD

Note: This post has been updated on May 10, 2022.

Glen Echo Park is one of my favorite places to visit as it’s like stepping into a fairly well-preserved time capsule.

According to their site, “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.

In 1971, after the federal government obtained the land, the National Park Service began managing a new park on the site. 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.

In 2002, the National Park Service transferred management of the Park to Montgomery County. which in turn created the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture, a new nonprofit, to oversee the Park's arts and cultural programs and maintains the historic facilities.  The National Park Service continues its role in managing the grounds and providing historic interpretation.

From 2003 to 2010, extensive renovations of the Park's facilities took place under the direction of Montgomery County and the National Park Service with input from the Partnership and resident organizations. These renovations were funded with major federal, state, and county resources as well as private donations. Renovations included: the Spanish Ballroom, the Dentzel Carousel, the Puppet Co. Playhouse, the Arcade building, the Yellow Barn, Adventure Theatre, the Candy Corner, the Chautauqua Tower, the Ballroom Annex, and the Caretaker's Cottage. The Hall of Mirrors Dance Studio was renovated in 2014. “

On a rare beautiful morning in December, I took a stroll through the grounds, inspired by what I saw.

Accessing the park is free and is accessible from sun up to sun down.