Celebrating Freedomland U.S.A. Theme Park's 65th Anniversary

Presentations about Freedomland U.S.A., the American history theme park that was located in the Bronx (1960-1964), will be featured throughout the year to mark the 65th anniversary of the park's debut on June 19, 1960.

Freedomland Presentation Schedule For Long Island

Currently, presentations about the history of Freedomland are scheduled for Half Hollow Hills Library, Syosset Library, Berger Brothers Camera along with several private organizations.

June 17, 2025: 2 p.m. Half Hollow Hills Public Library, Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, Suffolk County. Event Listing.

June 28, 2025: 2 p.m. Berger Brothers Camera, 226 West Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, Nassau County. A special presentation, "Celebrities at the Park," will include the usual history of Freedomland with a focus on the celebrity musicians, singers, radio DJs, comedians and children's TV show hosts who appeared at the park. Reservations/cost link.

August 14, 2025: 2 p.m. Syosset Public Library, South Oyster Bay Road, Syosset, Nassau County. Event Listing.

Freedomland U.S.A. programs are featured throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. For the 65th anniversary of the park’s debut, libraries, museums, adult education, and historical and civic organizations can schedule a program that includes a park memorabilia display. Each attendee receives an authentic Freedomland entrance token Courtesy the Frank R. Adamo Freedomland U.S.A. Collection. For more information, email Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com or send a direct message through the Freedomland social media platforms -- Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and Pinterest.

Books About Freedomland's History

Besides social media and print/online articles, Freedomland’s history has been documented in two books, Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History (Theme Park Press, 2018) and Freedomland U.S.A.: More Definitive History (Theme Park Press, 2024). Both books can be found on various online retail sites.

Freedomland featured seven themed American history sections -- Little Old New York focused on lower Manhattan of the late 1800s, in Old Chicago of 1871 children and adults fought the great fire, The Great Plains of 1803-1900 showcased a fort and farmland, San Francisco of 1906 introduced a dark ride that simulated the devastating earthquake, The Old Southwest of 1890 incorporated the tough towns of the time, New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras and was the location of the centennial commemoration of the Civil War, and Satellite City showcased the future. The park was created and built by C.V. Wood, Disneyland’s first employee who supported the efforts of the Disney brothers to create their park. He designed other parks, including Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, and became involved with the Riverwalk in San Antonio and the community of Lake Havasu, Arizona, that features the relocation of the original London Bridge.

Freedomland Closes

Former Disney employees, Hollywood and Broadway creative personnel, and talent from New York City television contributed to the creation of Freedomland. Unknown to Wood, the creators, the employees and Freedomland’s fans, the landowner, local politicians, city planners and construction unions considered the park a temporary occupant of the property until land variances permitted significant development of the marshland for housing and shopping. The site for the last 50-plus years has been the location of Co-op City, the world’s largest cooperative complex.