Long Island Presentations Celebrate Freedomland's 65th Anniversary

Long Island presentations about Freedomland U.S.A., the popular American history theme park that was located in the Bronx (1960-1964), have been scheduled to mark the 65th anniversary of the park's debut. Entertainer Pat Boone and his family cut the opening day ribbon on Father’s Day on June 19, 1960.

Established on filled marshland, 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 while 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 American Civil War. Satellite City showcased contemporary and future space flight.

The theme 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. Wood also designed other parks, including Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, and he became involved with the Riverwalk in San Antonio and the community of Lake Havasu, Arizona, that features the relocation of the original London Bridge.

Former Disney employees, Hollywood and Broadway creative personnel, and talent from New York City television contributed to the creation of Freedomland. Unknown to Wood and his park creators, the many employees and Freedomland’s fans, landowner William Zeckendorf, Sr., local and state politicians, city planners and construction unions always considered the park a temporary occupant of the several hundred acres of marshland that were ripe for development in the northeast part of the borough. Their goal was to leverage Freedomland to obtain variances that permitted residential and commercial construction on the property.

A negotiated agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed a land development moratorium of about 20 years and replaced the requirement with a five-year waiting period that conveniently coincided with the park’s short life. Following the removal of Freedomland, land preparation and construction began for Co-op City, which had been designed during the late 1950s. The housing development and its shopping center have occupied the site for the past 50-plus years.

Long Island Presentation Schedule

Many older Long Islanders have recalled visiting Freedomland as children or young teens with their parents and friends. Area schools featured class outings to the park and high school marching bands appeared in the daily Freedomland parades. Upcoming presentations about the history of Freedomland already are scheduled for Half Hollow Hills Library, Berger Brothers Camera, Syosset Library and Mid-Island Y JCC.

June 17: 2 p.m., Half Hollow Hills Library, 55 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, Suffolk County. Registration is required.

June 28: 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.

August 14: 2 p.m., Syosset Public Library, 225 South Oyster Bay Road, Syosset, Nassau County. Event listing.

November 5: 5:30 p.m., Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Rd, Plainview, Nassau County. Website.

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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 information, email Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com or send a direct message through Freedomland social media on Facebook, Instagram, X and Pinterest.

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 Amazon and other online retail sites.

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Freedomland’s Connections To Long Island

Among Long Island’s many connections to Freedomland:

East Farmingdale: Students at the SUNY Long Island Agricultural and Technical Institute (now State University of New York at Farmingdale or SUNY Farmingdale) cared for Elsie the cow and her calves at the Borden Farm in The Great Plains.

Eastport: Country Gardens Nursery provided shrubs and smaller plants to support the landscaping project.

Garden City: Prior to Freedomland, William Zeckendorf, Sr., the owner of Webb & Knapp and the Bronx marshland occupied by the theme park, built the Roosevelt Field mall.

Malverne: The teenager who portrayed the park’s Billy the Kid lived in this village. A family member was one of the park’s photographers.

Massapequa: Martin Finkel owned The Glass Blower Shop in Little Old New York. He also owned a similar shop at the New York World’s Fair.

North Bellmore: Diane Sabia was a twirler in the daily park parade.

Queens: Drummer Johnny Blowers owned Club Blowers and appeared at Freedomland during 1961.

Sayville: Pinky, a mule from Freedomland, was adopted by Loughlin Vineyards. A few years ago, the winery created a rosé to commemorate Pinky’s memory.

Schering Corporation, Long Island Division: Regional manager Seymour “Zel” S. Fahrer was assigned to oversee the Apothecary Shop in Little Old New York. The shop featured an old-time apothecary as it promoted the company’s new Coricidin brand cold and flu treatment.

Shirley: Freedomland accepted two young deer from the hamlet for the Borden Farm.