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Time Begin/In Cue |
Segment Title and Content |
Connections |
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:45 Promo for Pgh Hist. Series |
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:55 Wide shot nighttime Kennywood |
Kennywood's 100 year evolutionA popular Pittsburgh destination since 1899, Kennywood Park has seen many changes over the years — although many of its original features remain and are designated as historical landmarks. This intro combines current and vintage footage to introduce the park's evolution over the past century. |
Having Fun: amusements |
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3:18 Wide shot , sunrise over roller coaster track |
Workers arrive before Kennywood opensWhile the park does not open until 11 am, the staff arrives at sunrise to inspect the rides and maintain the park. The Thunderbolt is widely considered to be one of the greatest coasters in the world. Workers navigate the wooden track daily to inspect and maintain it. Other workers maintain the gardens and other popular rides. |
Creating Community: People, jobs |
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7:29 Vintage drawing of red barn
8:44 Older woman in blue sweater walking thru park with man |
Kennywood's trolley park beginnings Part IThis segment shows the beginning of Kennywood at the turn of the century. It began as a plot of land owned by the Kenny family. "Trolley parks" like Kennywood were situated at the end of the trolley lines to encourage ridership. This segment gives a glimpse back in time at the features of the park in its earliest days. Isabelle Snyder's mother came to the park in 1899 and composed a piece of music called "The Kennywood Waltz." Isabelle returns to the park to recall her earliest memories of Kennywood, including the popular bandshell and an athletic field. |
Creating Community, heritage, social customs The Arts: Music
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9:40 B/W vintage photo of people on roller coaster
10:15 Two men pushing front of roller coaster |
Kennywood rollercoasters Part IRoller coasters — much tamer versions of today's rides — were introduced to the park in 1902. Safety is a primary concern at Kennywood. Over the years, several people disregarded safety regulations and died in the park. Brian and Geno, two Kennywood workers, take their jobs seriously, as they inspect the coasters for safety. As part of their inspection, they have to ride the coasters daily. |
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11:00 A group of workers in red shirts walk in park |
Many summer employees are high school and college students. They work diligently to clean and maintain their rides. |
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12:30 Vintage footage of vintage cars in parking lot |
Kennywood's trolley park beginnings Part IIVintage footage shows people flocking to Kennywood, as it is established as the city's most popular trolley park. In 1906, a group of businessmen took over the lease to the park, and two men who are descendants of these men, still own and operate the park today. |
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12:59 close up of Kennywood tickets printing out |
Kennywood rollercoasters Part IIThe park opens at 11, and by Noon, rides begin to operate. The park mixes old and new features. The oldest ride in the park is the Jack Rabbit roller coaster. Designed by John A. Miller in 1921, it cost $50,000 to build. The charm of the coaster is that it utilizes the topography of the land to maximize the thrills of its dips. |
Rivers and Valleys: topography |
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15:04 Man in blue shirt walks past small waterfall in park.
16:00 Jackways at desk in office
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Kennywood historian Charles Jackways discusses origins of the older ridesCharles J. Jackways, Jr. is the author of the book "Kennywood: Rollercoaster capital of the world." Charles explains the history of many of the park's rides, including the Turtle, which was added to the park in 1927. Originally called the "Tumble Bug," this ride was built in Beaver Falls by the Travers Engineering Company. Jackways is a lawyer in Natrona Heights, but he also holds many titles as an amusement park expert, and his office holds many catalogues of his research. He also wrote a book about Westview Park, which no longer exists. |
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16:55 Kiddieland Turtle ride
18:45 Two children riding "red Cadillac" thru little Kiddieland tunnel |
Kennywood's KiddielandIn early 1900's, Kennywood set up a free playground for children. By 1924, the park established its first "Kiddieland," and vintage footage shows some of the early rides for children. Driving rides, like the Little Turnpike ride, have always been popular at Kennywood. The Auto Ride is an electric car that is a Kennywood classic, and has been in the park since 1930. Vintage footage shows the Auto Ride in earlier years. |
Having Fun: amusements
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20:30 Waterfall past red flowers
21:12 B/W photo of military men with women in small train car |
Landscaping the parkKennywood's landscaping calls to mind the great old parks of Europe, with plenty of gardens and greenery. Carl Hughes, the park's president, recalls Kennywood during the second World War, when military men received free passes to the park. |
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21:37 Blonde woman in white shirt with dustpan and broom 22:18 Wide shot of Potato Patch 23:00 Close up of hot dog being dipped in corn batter
23:38 Close up young woman with long red curly hair |
Teen food servers and ride operators at KennywoodTeens hold many jobs at the park. Some keep the park clean. Others work in the eateries. French fries from the Potato Patch are one of the most popular foods in the park. They were even named by a trade publication as the best french fries in America! On a busy day, the Potato Patch cooks up more than 2 tons of potatoes! "Corn dogs" are another Kennywood classic treat. The corn dog booth has been in Kennywood since the 1930's! Ride operators have to stay alert to safety issues, weather — and they have to take care of "messes" from motion sickness! |
Creating Community: Food customs, amusements |
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25:15 Vintage footage of Noah's Ark ride
26:12 Medium-shot, Older man in blue striped tie walking in park, others behind him |
Kennywood's Noah's Ark1936, the year of the St. Patrick's Day Flood in Pittsburgh, saw the addition of the Noah's Ark ride to Kennywood. There used to be 50 similar Ark rides throughout the country, but today, Kennywood's is the only one remaining. Joe Williams, from Bloomfield, used to be the manager of Noah's Ark. Now 85 and retired, Joe was involved in the extensive remodeling of Noah's Ark in 1965. Joe recalls his duties in past years, and the changes the ride has seen through the decades. Many original elements, however, remain. |
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27:15 Vintage 1970's film footage of people walking under "park entrance" sign.
28:15 Wide shot of castle-like haunted house ride
28:45 Wide shot of Haunted Hideaway ride 29:27 Point-of-view shot from Log Jammer at crest of hill
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Evolving rides at KennywoodOver the years, picnickers come to expect a new ride or two every season. This segment combines current and vintage footage to look at some popular rides throughout Kennywood's history. It also includes an archival commercial clip promoting Kennywood. La Cachot is one example of a "dark ride," many of which have existed at Kennywood over the years. One of the most memorable is "Laff in the Dark," which was in Kennywood from 1930 — 1966. Archival footage shows "Laff in the Dark," and the ride that replaced it, "The Turnpike." Kennywood's closest thing to a "tunnel of love," The Old Mill is a popular boat ride, shown in both current and vintage footage. The Log Jammer, sort of like a "wet roller coaster," cost more than $1-million when it was built in 1975, and it was a ride that helped keep Kennywood competitive in the modern era of themeparks. On a busy day, more than 24,000 people will ride the Log Jammer. |
Having Fun: amusements Creating Community: Local business Basic mathematics
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30:23 Archival b/w film of old Kennywood swimming pool |
Kennywood's pools and its 1950's segregation and desegregationKennywood opened a giant swimming pool in 1925. It was the site of the Miss Pittsburgh Pageant in 1925, and also hosted the Baby Pageant for many years. In the early 1950's, the pool was converted into a water ride — although the reason for that had political implications. Fears of desegregating the pool led to the decision to turn the pool into a ride — although in 1956 it re-opened for all swimmers. The pool closed at the end of the 1973 season. |
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31:30 Photo of structure on fire
32:38 Close-up young worker in red shirt, drinking from cup |
Evolving entertainment tastes: Kennywood's Bandshell makes way for the Raging RapidsThe great Bandshell burned in 1961, and was replaced by the StarView Plaza, but that and the Little Dipper coaster were torn down to provide room for another get-wet ride called The Raging Rapids. This ride, opened in 1985, calls to mind the rapids of W.PA rivers. Lisa Sobak, a student working at Kennywood for the summer, has the fun job of hitting the "geyser button" that sprays riders with water on the Raging Rapids ride. A visit with a local family riding the Raging Rapids also recalls their history of visiting Kennywood for school and company picnics over the years. |
Rivers and Valleys: topography Having Fun: amusements
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33:50 Kenny Kangaroo mascot hugging kids
35:01 Close-up girl putting on head of Kangaroo costume
35:50 Kenny Kangaroo with young children in front of swings ride
37:12 Tilt up on b/w photo of two women in Charleston costumes |
Changing fashions at Kennywood and Kenny the Kangaroo mascotThis giant Kangaroo has been the Kennywood mascot since 1974 — but a talk with the two women who share the role of Kenny reveals the secrets of making kids laugh while sticking to the non-verbal/pantomime rules of all good kangaroos! Fashions have always been important on Kennywood day! This segment looks at the fads and fashions. It also recalls some popular Pgh-only idioms, such as "Kennywood Park's open" — which is short-hand for "your fly is unzipped!" "Lost and Found" isn't a ride; it's the service center, run by Naomi Jones, who catalogues boxes of unclaimed items. Naomi first started working in the park in 1929, and she recalls the fashions worn over the years, accompanied by archival footage. Naomi recalls the first parade and costume day in 1929. |
Creating Community: Communication
Creating Community: fads, fashion Creating Community, customs
Having Fun: amusements |
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37:55 Pan wide shot of b/w footage, people on canoes in large pool, with "Nation's Greatest Picnic Park" graphic 38:20 Wide shot of band on small stage 39:00 Young African-American man sitting at calliope instrument. |
Music and dancing at KennywoodMusic has always been an important park of Kennywood history. Until 1953, Kennywood had a dance hall. During the financial hard times of the 1930's, the dance hall was critical to the park's survival because it attracted big band performers. Since 1978, the park has hired local young performers to present shows at the Garden Theatre. Members of the band Razzmatazz talk about the thrill of live performance. Arthur Turner is a music student who plays in Razzmatazz. But he also plays the old calliope between Razzmatazz shows, and he talks about the importance of music in the park. |
The Arts: music |
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39:45 Train ride moving past picnic groves
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Kennywood's train ride over the yearsKennywood's train ride first came to the park in 1945. These trains were first built for Gimble's Department store and were used at the New York World's Fair in 1939. Archival footage shows the trains in the park over the years. |
Science, train operation |
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40:24 Archival color footage of parade w/ Scottish bagpipers
41:53 Older gentleman wearing "Italian Day" pin and ribbon. |
Community and Ethnic Day picnicsKennywood has always been the site of many school, community, and company picnics. A variety of ethnic groups meet, and one of the largest picnics is held on Italian Day, a tradition since 1935. Italian Day includes lots of music, lots of food, and community celebrations filled with ethnic pride. Folks at the Italian Day celebration recall the old days of Kennywood, and their memories of attending the park over the decades. |
Creating Community: ethnic heritage Creating Community: Food customs; Dance, music ethnic customs
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43:50 Racer roller coaster
44:20 Jack Rabbit coaster
45:20 Two boys in riding in front seat of coaster
46:52 Shot of old "Pippin" sign
47:12 Tilt down from coaster tracks to man in blue plaid shirt walking into Thunderbolt area
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Kennywood rollercoasters Part IIIThe Racer is the last racing coaster in America that has a single track, but appears to be two separate tracks. The Jack Rabbit, like the Racer, was designed by John Miller, one of the masters of the Golden Age of amusement coasters. The Jack Rabbit was the last coaster Miller ever designed. Psychologists have studied coasters and determined that the thrill and "fear" of the coaster ride helps many people feel exhilarated. More Kennywood coasters, like the Laser Loop, provide plenty of thrills. This segment studies the physics of the Laser Loop. It uses the same technology that catapults jets off of aircraft carriers! The Thunderbolt is widely acknowledged as Kennywood's greatest coasters — and also, as one of the greatest coasters in the world! It is the reincarnation of a roller coaster designed by John Miller in 1924, called the Pippin. In 1967, the Pippin was re-designed and became the Thunderbolt. Andy Vettle, Jr's, father re-designed the Thunderbolt, and Andy too works at the park in the summers, and because he is an announcer there he is known as the "Voice of Kennywood." Andy recalls the days when he and his family actually lived in a house on the park property, and what the Pippin was like. He also talked about the re-designed Thunderbolt his dad created. |
Math, Physics
Having Fun, amusements
Social sciences
Math, science
Science, physics
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48:36 People on Merry-go-Round
49:30 Older gentleman walking around on moving carousel |
Kennywood's carouselThe Grand Carousel was built in 1926, and is a designated historic landmark. Tony Sacremento has worked at the carousel since the mid-1930's. |
Having Fun: amusements The Arts: Music
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49:43 Roller coaster loop track at dusk
50:35 Back of man on stage, in front of green cage structure
52:58 People playing skeeball 53:36 Man in blue and pink shirt at penny arcade machines 54:43 Nighttime montage of Kennywood |
Kennywood's nighttime arcades and variety showsBack at the turn-of-the-century, Kennywood was one of the first places in the Pgh area to have electricity. At dusk, Kennywood's beautiful lights still add magic. Nighttime entertainment has existed over the years, including a 9pm variety show over the lagoon. This segment includes a look at the stunt show. The Penny Arcade includes modern video games and old-style penny arcades. Rob Mahalchek maintains the park's antiques, like antique movie viewers Nighttime at Kennywood spells romance — as shown by young and old alike savoring dates, or trying to meet ones! |
Having Fun: amusements
The Arts: antiques, early movie technology |
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55:49 Neon green turtle sign |
Kennywood's 100 year evolutionDesignation as a National Historic LandmarkKennywood Park was designated in 1987, by the US Dept of the Interior, as a National Historic Landmark, an unusual honor for an amusement park. As the program concludes, a montage of archival footage through the decades recalls Kennywood's special appeal. |
Having Fun | |
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58:12 Show end credits |