NAPHA Heritage Fund

In 1994, the National Amusement Park Historical Association began the NAPHA Heritage Fund to provide financial assistance to organizations working to preserve industry history.

To raise funds, NAPHA solicits monetary donations and donations of artifacts from our members and the amusement industry. Auctions are held at NAPHA membership gatherings, with the accumulated funds awarded to deserving organizations on an annual basis.

NAPHA is always looking for worthy recipients of Heritage Fund Grants. Recipients must be non-profit entities working to preserve the history of the amusement park industry. If you know of any potential recipients, please let us know!

Since the award was initiated, fifty-four grants have been made totaling over $50,000:

2021

• New England Carousel Museum - Bristol, CT - $750.00
• Tuscora Park (RTY, Inc.) - New Philadelphia, OH - $1,000.00 for the Ferris Wheel

2020

• Coney Island History Project - Brooklyn, NY - $1,000.00
• Herschel Carousel Factory Museum - North Tonawanda, NY - $250.00 for operational assistance during COVID-19

2019

• Natural Heritage Trust (Midway Park) - Albany, NY - $1,000.00

2018

• Coney Island Museum - Brooklyn, NY - restoration of a Tornado coaster car
  
• DeBence Antique Music World - Franklin, PA
• Natural Heritage Trust (Midway State Park) - Albany, NY - $1,000.00 for installation of Ferris Wheel and Twister from Lakemont Park
• Donations to NAPHA Archives

2017

• Arnold's Park - Arnolds Park, IA - return of historic Funhouse Items

2016

• Dollywood Foundation - Pigeon Forge, TN - To assist with the Gatlinburg Fire
• Aventureland Amusement Park - Farmingdale, NY - "Buy a Brick"
• Conneaut Lake Park - Conneaut Lake, PA
• Donations to NAPHA Archives

2015

• Clark Museum of Area History - Milford, IA - to maintain the artifacts and memorabilia of Arnolds Park
• Carousel of Happiness - Nederland, CO - sponsor one on the outside and one on the inside running boards

2014

• DeBence Antique Music World - Frankln, PA
• Coney Island History Project - Brooklyn NY
• Storybook Land - Aberdeen, SD - maintenance rides and purchase of new rides

2013

• Enid Kiwanis Club - Enid, OK - purchase and installation of Eli Bridge Ferris wheel

2012

• Edens Springs Park - Benton Harbor, MI
• Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society - Elmira, NY

2011

• Kiwanis Kiddieland - Carthage, MO - maintenance of the train and restoration of the carousel
• Conneaut Lake Park - Conneaut Lake, PA - maintenance of the Blue Streak
• Morgan's Wonderland - San Antonio, TX

2010

• Conneaut Lake Park - Conneaut Lake, PA - maintenance of the Blue Streak
• Pueblo City Park - Pueblo, CO - maintenance of rides.

2009

• Kiwanis Kiddieland - Merced, CA - maintenance and repairs of rides and attractions
• Kiwanis Kiddie Park - Enid, OK - maintenance and repairs of rides and attractions
• Donations to NAPHA Archives

2008

• Bay Beach Park - Green Bay, WI - relocation, restoration, and installation of the Chairplane Ride
• Brookhaven Exchange Club Park  - Brookhaven, MS
• Carousel of Happiness - Nederland, CO - restoration of Charles Looff Carousel originally from Saltair Park in Utah

2007

• Bartlesville Kiddie Park - Bartlesville, OK - restoration of the Ferris Wheel after flooding that summer
• Donations to NAPHA Archives

2006

• Please Touch Museum - Philadelphia, PA - restoration of the 1924 Dentzel Carousel prior to installation
• Rotary Storyland and Playland - Fresno, CA - repair the PTC Crazy Daisy ride by fabricating a new gear

2005

• Chicago Historical Society - Chicago, IL
• Friends of City Park - New Orleans, LA

2004

• Funland Park - Little Rock, AR
• Olcott Beach Carousel Park - Olcott, NY
• Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Museum - El Cerrito, CA
• Two Bricks, Cass City Carousel - Logansport, IN

2003

• Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum - North Tonawanda, NY
• Dreamland - Margate, UK - for the Scenic Railway

2002

• Bartlesville Kiddie Park - Bartlesville, OK
• Children's Fairyland - Oakland, CA

2001

• Conneaut Lake Park - Conneaut Lake, PA
• Leap-the-Dips at Lakemont Park - Altoona, PA
• Leavenworth Historical Museum - Leavenworth, KS
  
• New England Carousel Museum - Bristol, CT

2000

• Merry-Go-Round Museum - Sandusky, OH
• Save Tillie - Asbury Park, NJ

1999

• Arnolds Park (Save The Park) - Lake Okoboji, IA
• New England Carousel Museum - Bristol, CT
• Rocky Springs Carousel - Lancaster, PA

1998

• Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier - North Tonawanda, NY - The Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier operates the Allan Herschell Museum in North Tonowanda, NY. The Museum, located in the former Allen Herschell factory traces the history of the Allan Herschell Company which, at one time, was the largest manufacturer of amusement park rides in the world. The Heritage Fund Grant will be used to assist in the acquisition and restoration of some rare machinery used to manufacturer band organ music rolls.
• Euclid Beach Carousel - Cleveland, OH - For the first time, the NAPHA Heritage Fund made two grants in 1998. The second grant was awarded to a non-profit organization affiliated with the National Carousel Association and the Euclid Beach Park Nuts. The $1,000 grant will be used to acquire and restore Philadelphia Toboggan Carousel #19. Carved in 1909, this classic carousel originally operated at Cleveland's Euclid Beach Park where it became a beloved community heirloom. When Euclid Beach closed in 1969, the ride was relocated to Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach, ME, where it closed following he 1996 season. Fearing that the ride would be sold off in individual pieces to collectors, the local group formed to return the ride to its original home. The group succeeded in acquiring the ride, with the assistance of the Trust for Public Lands, at an auction in July 1997. They are currently working to restore it and eventually plan to put it back into operation on Cleveland's lakeshore.

1997

• Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park, Altoona, PA - NAPHA's second Heritage Fund grant was awarded to the Leap-the-Dips Preservation Foundation of Altoona, PA. The $1,000 grant was used to assist the Foundation in their continuing efforts to restore the historic Leap-the-Dips roller coaster at Altoona's Lakemont Park and return it to operation. It is the world's oldest operating roller coaster. The Leap-the-Dips was manufactured in 1902 by E. Joy Morris, the ride is the last remaining Figure Eight roller coaster known to exist in the world. As its name implies, the Figure Eight roller coaster features a track layout resembling a large eight when viewed from above. Invented in the late 1800's the Figure Eight style ride was once an industry staple with hundreds operating around the world. Following a $1 million restoration, the Leap-the-Dips will reopen in 1999 for the first time since 1985.

1996

• Friends of the Carousel, Little Rock, AR - NAPHA's first Heritage Fund grant was presented to Friends of the Carousel, Inc. of Little Rock, AR, in 1996. The $1,000 grant was used to assist Friends of the Carousel in their efforts to restore the historic Over-the-Jumps ride and return it to operation. The Over-the-Jumps ride is a true piece of history. Manufactured in mid-1920's by Spillman Engineering of North Tononwanda, NY, the ride was one of only four of its type manufactured and is the last remaining example. The motion of the Over-the Jumps is similar to today's Himalaya rides, in which 40 wooden horses and four chariots travel over an undulating track. Little Rock's Over-the-Jumps originally operated as a traveling carnival attraction before being placed into operation at Little Rock's War Memorial in 1942. Friends of the Carousel was formed in 1991 to purchase the ride, restore it and place it back into operation.