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Before the Freedom Riders: The Fight to Integrate Glen Echo Amusement Park
  • Date: Thursday, May 17, 2018 - Friday, May 18, 2018
  • Time: 11:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

See exclusive, advance clips from Emmy award–winning filmmaker Ilana Trachtman’s documentary in progress, Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round (2019). The film will tell a little-known and groundbreaking story of the integration of Glen Echo Amusement Park, near Washington, DC. The 1960 “summer of protest” at Glen Echo was spearheaded by an interracial group led by black students from Howard University and Jewish neighbors. Ilana Trachtman and former protesters will discuss the film.

Presented in partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington.

All public programs at the National Archives are free. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.

Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202.357.5000 in advance.