NAPHA was founded in 1978 by a former employee of Chicago's legendary Riverview Amusement Park (closed 1967) and has grown through the years to include amusement park enthusiasts from around the world.

Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in amusement parks and includes people from all walks of life.

Among the many benefits enjoyed by NAPHA members are:

• Eighteen publications a year - more than any organization of its kind. Our publications include NAPHA News, a bi-monthly magazine and NAPHA NewsFLASH!!!, a monthly newsletter focusing on current events in the amusement park industry.
• Conventions at parks around the world.

Throughout its history NAPHA has worked to preserve amusement park history. NAPHA serves as a resource to the industry, providing information to authors, historians, documentary producers and manufacturers. NAPHA even provided the memorabilia used on the record jacket of Bruce Springsteen's Tunnel of Love single.

NAPHA also tries to preserve historic rides and tries to find new homes for classic amusement rides whenever possible. Among the historic rides that NAPHA has preserved are:

• The second Tilt-A-Whirl ever manufactured
• The only Teeter Dip in existence
• One of America's last remaining Venetian Swings rides
• NAPHA also obtained a boat from the Shoot-the-Chutes ride from Chicago's Riverview Park, but unfortunately, it was destroyed in a tornado.

The National Amusement Park Historical Association is the world's only educational and enthusiast's organization dedicated to all aspects of the amusement park. If you would like to become a member, click on the "Join NAPHA" link and... COME JOIN THE FUN!!!