​Further Reading & Resources: Explore the Story of Bushkill Park

The history of Bushkill Park is preserved not only in its rides and buildings but in the stories told by journalists, filmmakers, historians, and the families who loved it. Below is a collection of articles, films, archives, and resources for anyone who wants to dig deeper.

​

Whether you're a researcher, a nostalgic visitor, or a first-time explorer, we invite you to lose yourself in the rich tapestry of a park that has been "Making Memories Since 1902."

​

📰 News & Media Coverage

From local newspapers to national outlets, these articles chronicle the park's triumphs, struggles, and rebirth.

The Morning Call

• Revamped Bushkill Park opens: More work ahead, owners say (1991, May 26). Read Article

• Nostalgia at 92: Bushkill Park retains attractions, charm of yesteryear (1994, July 3). Read Article

• Bushkill's Barl of Fun discovered: Cable channel features Forks Twp. amusement park jewel in documentary (1997, May 27). Read Article

• Whatever became of the old Bushkill Park carousel? It remains in storage (2001, July 1). Read Article

• Author helps Bushkill Park mark a century: Book tells history of Forks Twp. amusement park (2002, July 1). Read Article

• In Forks, acres of history as township marks 250 years (2004, September 15). Read Article

• Bushkill Park begins recovery from flooding: Remnants of Hurricane Ivan caused at least $400,000 in damages (2004, October 24). Read Article

• Family-oriented park should be preserved (2004, November 3). Read Article

• Bushkill Park owners left with questions: Damage caretaker evicted this week said the site fell victim to vandals (2007, October 20). Read Article

• A wild ride: The story of Lehigh Valley's small amusement parks (2017, January 22). Read Article

• Bushkill Park opens doors for 115th birthday (2017, July 7). Read Article

• Renovations to Bushkill Park's 'Barl of Fun' reveal new clues about its past by C. Tatu (2019, May 21). Read Article

• Bushkill Park: A century of memories under new management (2020, July 15). Read Article

• Bushkill Park celebrates 121st anniversary and newly restored carousel (2023, July 2). Read Article

Lehigh Valley Live

• Delays in financial commitment (2013, December). Read Article

• Forks family's connection to Bushkill (2015, July). Read Article

• Living inside Bushkill Park (2015, July). Read Article

• Putting Bushkill Park's past to rest (2015, July). Read Article

• Bushkill Park 30 years ago by R. Miller (2016, April 21). Read Article

• First scene of indie film to be shot at Bushkill Park (2016, July). Read Article

• Easton man tracing longtime history of park (2017, July). Read Article

• Poll: If Bushkill Park reopens, will you go? (2017, July). Read Article

• Bushkill Park reopens: A community returns to its roots (2020, July 16). Read Article

• Lehigh Valley horror story: Recalling real events behind indy fright flick "The Fields" (2021, October). Read Article

• It's been years since Bushkill Park had a carousel. It's here. You can ride it Sunday. by R. Miller (2023, July 1). Read Article

• Children from troubled homes are working, volunteering and having fun at Bushkill Park by R. Miller (2023, October 17). Read Article

• Report shows PA tourism industry generated $83.9 billion in 2024 (2025, September). Read Article

Lehigh Valley News

• Roller skating events at Bushkill Park include laser lights and dubstep (2022, November 19). Read Article

• Bushkill Park unveils new carousel as landmark celebrates 121 years by R. Gaylor (2023, July 2). Read Article

Television News

• Halloween haunts, frights and fun at America's oldest funhouse, Bushkill Park — 6abc Philadelphia (2025, October 11). Watch Clip

• Bushkill Park video clip — ABC7 New York. Watch Clip

• Bushkill Park opening to celebrate 115th birthday — WFMZ News. Read Article

• "It was scary": Halloween tradition returns to Bushkill Park with "The Haunt" — WFMZ News. Read Article

Other Outlets

• Photos of abandoned Bushkill Park — Business Insider (2016, April). View Photos

• A wild ride: The story of the Lehigh Valley's small amusement parks — NJ Herald (2017, January 28). Read Article

• Bushkill Park operators sued — PennLive (2007, September). Read Article

• Abandoned amusement parks in PA — PennLive (2016, October). Read Article

• It's a thrill at Bushkill 2025 — TicketLeap (2025). Event Listing

🎬 Film & Television

Bushkill Park has served as both a filming location and an inspiration for storytellers. These films and programs capture the park's unique atmosphere — from its haunting beauty to its historic charm.

Feature Films

• The Fields (2011) — Directed by T. Mattera & D. Mazzoni. A horror film shot at Bushkill Park, starring Cloris Leachman and Tara Reid. IMDb Page | The Fields Official Facebook Page

  • Behind the Scenes & Interviews:

    • Interview with Harrison Smith, Writer of "The Fields"

    • The Fields Cast Details and Movie Poster

    • Wrong Turn 5 casting continues: Teaser poster for The Fields

    • Poltergeist remake will come at us in three dimensions

    • The Fields Wraps, Let Me In Begins Production

    • Wikipedia: The Fields (film)

    • Louisiana Economic Development: Fastlane NextGen Initial Certification Search

• The Bushkill Witch (2024, 2025) — Directed by Paul Sutt. A film exploring the 1872 legend of Libby Jane and Winnie Snyder, the dark lore that inspired the Haunted Pretzel's "Witch Cave" era. Horror News Article

Television

• American Pickers: A Banner Pick (2010) — History Channel, Season 1, Episode 11. Features the park's historic treasures.

📚 History & Preservation

For those who want to understand the deeper historical and cultural significance of Bushkill Park — and the importance of preserving places like it.

Books & Academic Publications

• Levine, A. (2021). What is a trolley park? A look at the ancestors of the modern theme park. About Theme Parks. Read Article

• Scannell, L., & Gifford, R. (2010). Defining place attachment: A tripartite organizing framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(1), 1–10.

• University of Pennsylvania Press. (2019). The evolution of the American carousel: Art, industry, and imagination.

• University of Pennsylvania Press. (2020). Hex signs and Pow-wowing: The persistence of Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic.

Historical & Preservation Organizations

• Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. History of Bushkill Park. Read Article

• Easton Heritage. (2021). Matriarchs of the midway: The legacy of Mabel Long. Read Article

• Future of History. (2022). The preservation of American folk-leisure: Why small parks matter. Read Article

• Heritage Preservation Quarterly. (2021). Stewardship in the time of COVID: How small landmarks survived the shutdown. Read Article

• Lehigh Valley History Project. (2023). Generational stewardship in the Lehigh Valley: The Bushkill model. Read Article

• National Canal Museum. (2024, July 12). Down the rabbit hole: The history of local leisure. Read Article

• Northampton County Historical Society. (2019). The legends of Bushkill: A centennial retrospective.

• Small Park Association. (2023). The adaptive reuse of nostalgia: Bushkill's path to the 121st anniversary. Read Case Study

• Two Rivers Area Greenway Plan. (2019). View Plan

• Philadelphia Encyclopedia. Lehigh Valley. Read Article

• American Coaster Enthusiasts. Preservation. Learn More

• Highest Bridges. Top 400 pre-1970 wood roller coasters. View List

• Chicago Skates. (1905). Historical archives and local roller culture.

🏛️ Official Park Resources

Explore the current offerings and ongoing restoration efforts at Bushkill Park & Grove.

• Park History

• Rides

• Skating

• Open Skate

• Book a Pavilion

• Private Parties

• Fundraiser Information

👥 Community & Digital Archives

The memories of Bushkill Park live on in the hearts of its visitors. These community-driven spaces preserve photos, stories, and historical records shared by the people who loved the park.

• Bushkill Park Friends — A community digital archive and memory project on Facebook. Join the Group

• Kelly Feathers Bushkill Park Barl of Memories — A Facebook page dedicated to preserving memories of the Bar'l of Fun. Visit Page

• Carousel History. (2011, May). Carousel News and Trader. Read Newsletter

• Lafayette Student News. Haunted house review: America's first funhouse never gets old. Read Review

• RideZone. Bushkill Park. Visit Page

• Roller Coaster Wiki. Bushkill Park. Visit Page

• The Scare Factor. The Haunt at Bushkill Park. Visit Page

• WanderWisdom. Hilarity Hall: Bushkill Funhouse. Read Article

• Weather Channel. Seph Lawless: Bushkill Park. View Photos

📊 Government & Scientific Data

For researchers and data enthusiasts, these sources provide the scientific and environmental context for the park's ongoing flood resilience work.

• United States Geological Survey. (2026). Bushkill Creek at Easton, PA — Streamflow and Flood Stages 1980–2026. View Data

📝 Personal Records & Family Documents

The Klein family has generously shared these personal records and reflections, offering an intimate glimpse into the human story behind the restoration.

• Klein, S., & Klein, J. (2024). Internal management records and operational protocols. J & S Klein, LLC.

• Pulliam, C. (2024). Oral history and family records of Bushkill Park. Sunbury, PA.

• Pulliam, C. (2026). Embracing our true selves and supporting one another: A personal and professional manifesto. Read at PositivePeerMentoring.com

• Smith, E. (1999). Congressional recognition certificate for Elwood Smith.

• Long, M. B. (1989, April 24). Obituary for Mabel B. Long. The Morning Call.

• Spahr, E. (2026, January 13). Corinne Pulliam and the heart of Bushkill. Inside Pennsylvania Magazine, Winter 2026, 12–13. Read Article

💌 Contribute to the Archive

Do you have photographs, documents, or stories from Bushkill Park's past? We are building a living archive of the park's history, and we would love to hear from you.

Whether you have a faded ticket stub from the 1950s, a photograph of the carousel from the 1970s, or a memory of Elwood Smith that you'd like to share, your contribution helps preserve the park's legacy for future generations.

📧 Email us: BushkillParkandGrove@gmail.com