Hearing History: Music in the Freedomland Amusement Park, 1960–1964
Location
Rosen Classroom 111
Start Date
21-6-2024 10:45 AM
Description
In 1960, the Freedomland, U.S.A. Amusement Park opened in The Bronx, New York. Created by the same designers as Disneyland and unofficially dubbed the “Disneyland of the East Coast,” Freedomland was shaped like the United States and centered on significant historical events over the past 200 years of American history such as the Chicago Fire and the San Francisco Earthquake. It also allowed visitors to experience historical times and events such as early 20th century New York City, Mardi Gras, and the Old Southwest. Because the park’s attractions were based on history, music director Paul LaValle was hired to compose and arrange music that would be played by live costumed bands such as a German “oompa band” in the Little Old New York area and a square dancing band in the Old Southwest area which would be called by famous square dancer Piute Pete. Music by composer Jules Styne and lyricist George Weiss was written specifically for each area and piped through the park’s sound systems. There were even operas written for and performed in the Freedomland Opera House and Saloon. When the park closed in 1964 to clear the land for a housing development that still stands today, most of the documents were destroyed, and the music played by the bands remained unknown. Using archival documents, I have determined the likely music that was played in Freedomland and discuss how it helped visitors immerse themselves in the park’s historical areas, including how it contributed to the park’s goal to accurately present American history.
Recommended Citation
Wissner, Reba A., "Hearing History: Music in the Freedomland Amusement Park, 1960–1964" (2024). Theme Park Music and Sound. 4.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/tpms/2024/friday/4
Hearing History: Music in the Freedomland Amusement Park, 1960–1964
Rosen Classroom 111
In 1960, the Freedomland, U.S.A. Amusement Park opened in The Bronx, New York. Created by the same designers as Disneyland and unofficially dubbed the “Disneyland of the East Coast,” Freedomland was shaped like the United States and centered on significant historical events over the past 200 years of American history such as the Chicago Fire and the San Francisco Earthquake. It also allowed visitors to experience historical times and events such as early 20th century New York City, Mardi Gras, and the Old Southwest. Because the park’s attractions were based on history, music director Paul LaValle was hired to compose and arrange music that would be played by live costumed bands such as a German “oompa band” in the Little Old New York area and a square dancing band in the Old Southwest area which would be called by famous square dancer Piute Pete. Music by composer Jules Styne and lyricist George Weiss was written specifically for each area and piped through the park’s sound systems. There were even operas written for and performed in the Freedomland Opera House and Saloon. When the park closed in 1964 to clear the land for a housing development that still stands today, most of the documents were destroyed, and the music played by the bands remained unknown. Using archival documents, I have determined the likely music that was played in Freedomland and discuss how it helped visitors immerse themselves in the park’s historical areas, including how it contributed to the park’s goal to accurately present American history.