Playland-Not-At-The-Beach
Encyclopedia
Playland-Not-At-The-Beach is a non-profit, family-oriented museum in El Cerrito
, California
celebrating America's bygone amusements operated entirely by volunteers.
The museum's 25 exhibits have specific emphasis on the attractions that once existed at Playland at the Beach
and the Sutro Baths
& Museum. Included are numerous artifacts from the original Whitney’s Playland at the Beach including the giant clown's blue hat from the top of the Playland Funhouse and Walking Charley, one of the original hand carved life-size wooden characters from the terrace above Laughing Sal in the front window of the Fun House. Thousands of historical items are present, from cases of never opened books of Playland tickets to original signage, parts of rides and games, rare photographs, employee uniforms, and prizes from the Playland arcade games. Additionally, there are over 30 pinball games, carnival skill games, dioramas celebrating Halloween and the Yuletide season, and miniature circuses, including the Marcks Family Miniature Circus
.
Playland-Not-At-The-Beach was featured on the local San Francisco television show "Eye on the Bay" on November 23rd, 2009.
El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, California
-Transportation:The city's primary transportation infrastructure consists of the El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte BART stations along with several local bus lines, operated by AC Transit, providing access to the surrounding area and the nearby cities of Albany, Berkeley and Richmond...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
celebrating America's bygone amusements operated entirely by volunteers.
The museum's 25 exhibits have specific emphasis on the attractions that once existed at Playland at the Beach
Playland (San Francisco)
Playland was a seaside amusement park located next to Ocean Beach at the western edge of San Francisco, California along the Great Highway where Cabrillo and Balboa streets are now...
and the Sutro Baths
Sutro Baths
The Sutro Baths were a large, privately owned swimming pool complex in San Francisco, California, built in the late 19th century. The building housing the baths burned down in 1966 and was abandoned. The ruins may still be visited.- History :...
& Museum. Included are numerous artifacts from the original Whitney’s Playland at the Beach including the giant clown's blue hat from the top of the Playland Funhouse and Walking Charley, one of the original hand carved life-size wooden characters from the terrace above Laughing Sal in the front window of the Fun House. Thousands of historical items are present, from cases of never opened books of Playland tickets to original signage, parts of rides and games, rare photographs, employee uniforms, and prizes from the Playland arcade games. Additionally, there are over 30 pinball games, carnival skill games, dioramas celebrating Halloween and the Yuletide season, and miniature circuses, including the Marcks Family Miniature Circus
Marcks Family Miniature Circus
The Marcks Family Miniature Circus is a miniature representation of the Sells Floto Circus of the 1930s. It was conceived and originated by Isaac Marcks and hand carved over the span of 50 years by him and his son Donald Marcks, publisher of the popular weekly publication Circus Report.The circus...
.
History of Museum
Playland-Not-At-The-Beach came into fruition in 2000 when El Cerrito businessman, Richard Tuck, purchased a 10000 square feet (929 m²) building that was formerly a grocery store. Tuck, an enthusiastic collector for the majority of his life, used the former store as place to keep various objects he had acquired including, Playland artifacts. Upon hearing of his Playland relics, community members began to show an interest and volunteered to organize and catalog his collections. Tuck then made the decision to turn the building into a Museum dedicated to Fun. After eight years of designing and construction, Playland-Not-At-The-Beach opened on May 31, 2008.Playland-Not-At-The-Beach was featured on the local San Francisco television show "Eye on the Bay" on November 23rd, 2009.