About NAPHA



Our Mission: The National Amusement Park Historical Association is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and enjoyment of the amusement and theme park industry - past, present and future.

NAPHA is the Worlds' Only educational and enthusiast organization dedicated to all aspects of the amusement park and is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

We were 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.

Some of the many NAPHA member benefits:

The colorful and informative NAPHA Chronicle Magazine
A newsletter, the NAPHA NewsFLASH!!!
Events at parks around the world
Regional meetings and gatherings
Free classified ads
Discounts to parks and admission to special events
And more!

NAPHA Helps others with Preservation

Throughout its history, NAPHA has worked to preserve amusement park history while serving as a resource for 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 has a record of assistance in finding new homes for historic rides to preserve them. Through member donations and auction proceeds, our heritage fund has contributed thousands of dollars to non-profit entities helping to preserve classic rides.

Among the historic rides that NAPHA has preserved are:

Tilt-A-Whirl

The second Tilt-A-Whirl to have been build by Sellner Manufacturing was saved when Williams Grove Park in Mechanicsburg, PA removed it, but the ride was later scrapped by its last owner.

Venetian Swing

One of America's last remaining Venetian Swings rides was saved by assisting in its relocation Crossroads Village in Flint, MI where it still operates today. 

Chairplane

NAPHA was the successful intermediary for finding a new home for a 1936 Smith & Smith Chairplane at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay, WI that was previously owned by the grandson of one of the manufacturer's founders.



Teeter Dip

NAPHA members saved the last known Teeter Dip ride from demolition at Kansas City, MO's former Fairyland Park, but it has since been scrapped by the last owner.

Chutes Boat

After Chicago's Riverview Par closed, NAPHA saved one of the original boats from the Chutes ride. It was unfortunately destroyed by a tornado that razed the barn it was being stored in at the time.

Zippin' Pippin

NAPHA was the catalyst for the recreation of the new Zippin' Pippin coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park, using some parts from the original Libertyland ride that was reportedly Evis Presley's favoite roller coaster.

Mailing Address

National Amusement Park Historical Association
P.O. Box 871
Lombard, IL 60148-0871

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Founded in 1978, the National Amusement Park Historical Association is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and enjoyment of the amusement and theme park industry - past, present and future.

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