Glen Echo Park (U.S. National Park Service)

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Glen Echo Park

"to promote liberal and practical education, especially among the masses of the people and to fit them for the duties which devolve upon them as members of society." -1891

Glen Echo Park

Glen Echo Park began in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly, which taught the sciences, arts, languages, and literature. By the early 1900's Glen Echo Park had become the premier amusement park serving the Washington area until 1968. 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.

There are so many wonderful things to do!

Take a guided tour or watch a film and learn the about the history of Glen Echo Park or take class in pottery, painting, photography, or glass art, music, silver smithing or textiles. Bring the entire family and enjoy a puppet show or theater performance.

Come take a ride on the historic Dentzel Carousel or dance in our exquisite Spanish Ballroom or refine your steps in a dance class.

Oral History Interns Needed

The National Park Service is seeking interns for the Glen Echo Park Oral History Project. In order to gain first-hand knowledge about the park's past, the Glen Echo Park Oral History Project interns will collect interviews from former patrons and employees of Glen Echo Amusement Park, participants and observers of the Civil Rights protests at the Park, and those who facilitated the park's transition from amusement park to contemporary arts community.

Please click here for additional information about Glen Echo Park Oral History Project.

Connect with Glen Echo Park

Friend us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter

Coloring Contest

"Look What I Saw At Glen Echo Park!"

Are you between the ages of 3 - 8?

Have you ever been to Glen Echo Park?

Do you love to draw?

The National Park Service at Glen Echo Park wants young artists to submit a colorful drawing of something neat you saw at the park! Not only will your work be showcased on our official Facebook page, but the first place winner will receive a Passport to Your National Parks stamp book and a Buddy the Bison stuffed toy!

How to enter…

We will begin accepting submissions on Friday, November 25, 2011.

Download and print the coloring contest sheet here. Create your drawing within the arrowhead shape provided. Once you have created your drawing you may submit your worksheet via samantha_christine@nps.gov or send via US mail to:

NPS Glen Echo Park

7300 MacArthur Blvd

Glen Echo, MD 20812

Note: Once your drawing has been submitted all rights to the drawing are relinquished to the National Park Service.

Announcement of winner…

Submissions will be posted on our Facebook page in the order we receive them.

The winner of the coloring contest will be announced on Facebook and at our Family Day activity tent Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 2pm.

Social Dancing at Glen Echo Park every weekend. Join us for a great time!

Dancing in the Spanish Ballroom has been a popular attraction at Glen Echo Park since 1933. Social Dancing at Glen Echo Park continues every weekend. Drop by with your "dancing shoes on" to have a great time. Reservations are not needed.

Click here for the weekly dance schedule.

According to Washingtonian magazine, the Spanish Ballroom "dominates the local swing scene." All social dances are open to the public, for all ages, with no prior experience or partner required. All dances offer an introductory lesson before the dance begins and most include live music. Tickets are $5 - $20, depending on the dance, and are sold at the door.

Tickets generally cannot be purchased in advance. Alcohol is prohibited on park grounds, and smoking is prohibited in all buildings. Dress is casual, and layers are recommended, because the dance halls (with the exception of the Ballroom Annex) are neither heated nor air-conditioned.

Write to

Glen Echo Park, NPS
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, Maryland 20812

E-mail Us

Phone

24 Hour Events Hotline
(301) 634-2222

Park Ranger Office
(301) 320-1400

Fax

(301) 320-1405

Climate

Glen Echo, Maryland is a suburb of Washington, D.C. Summers are usually humid and hot. Winters are usually above freezing but cold.

Snowfalls do occur, but are usually not deep. Spring and fall brings beautiful sunny days as well as wind and rain. Most of the buildings in Glen Echo Park are heated and air-conditioned.

Exceptions are the Dentzel Carousel (open May-Sept) and the Spanish Ballroom (dress appropriately for the weather!)

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