The popularity of the Midway Plaisance at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair helped inspire the growth of the modern American amusement park. In the decades that followed, amusement parks began appearing across the country—with many opening in and around Chicago.

This program examines the history of select Chicago-area amusement parks through the lens of home movies, offering a glimpse into how families experienced these popular destinations. It also explores the racism embedded in a once-common amusement park game enjoyed by both adults and children.

Finally, using HD video footage, the program takes audiences to the present-day location of the sign that once welcomed families to Kiddieland, the beloved amusement park that operated in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Note: This program includes historical material that references offensive racial epithets in their original context.