Freedomland U.S.A. / 250 Commemorates Founding Of United States

Freedomland U.S.A., the American history theme park that was located in the Bronx (1960-1964) and currently is celebrated in books, articles, broadcast programs and on social media, will join the nation to salute the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. Freedomland U.S.A. / 250 will feature U.S. Semiquincentennial information and photographs on its Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and Pinterest platforms.

The Freedomland U.S.A. / 250 announcement on social media will debut this coming July 2, the 248th anniversary of the declaration of freedom from Great Britain. On that day during 1776, the Continental Congress declared its freedom when delegates voted to approve a resolution submitted by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, declaring “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

When it was created, Freedomland U.S.A. considered but did not feature a tribute to the Revolutionary War Battle of Bunker Hill. Instead, park designers opted for a tribute to the American Civil War to correspond with the centennial commemoration of that national conflict. Freedomland featured seven themed American history sections -- Little Old New York focused on lower Manhattan of the late 1800s, Old Chicago of 1871, The Great Plains of 1803-1900, San Francisco of 1906, The Old Southwest of 1890, New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras and the location of the Civil War attraction, and Satellite City to showcase the future.

History Of The Freedomland Site

Freedomland U.S.A. was located on marshland in the northeast portion of the borough. The land previously was the home for Native Americans (Lenape) and then Dutch and English settlers who operated mills. According to the history books, the landscape featured the homes of Anne Hutchinson, John Bartow and Thomas Pell. During the Revolutionary War, a rear-guard action for General George Washington’s army occurred nearby on the colonial Split Rock Road. A prelude to the October 26, 1776 Battle of White Plains, General John Glover and his Massachusetts Marbleheaders delayed the advance of General William Howe and his British and Hessian soldiers.

The name of the theme park may have been derived from a nearby Dutch settlement known as Freedlandt that today is represented by the communities of Pelham and Pelham Manor. The Dutch translates to ‘freed land.’ For 50 years, the Co-op City housing development, the world’s largest residential cooperative, and its shopping center have occupied the site of Freedomland U.S.A.

In addition to social media platforms, Freedomland’s history is documented in two books. Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History and Freedomland U.S.A.: More Definitive History are published by Theme Park Press and available online at Amazon, Barnes&Noble and other online retailers.

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Presentations about the history of Freedomland U.S.A. are featured throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. For 2025, the 65th anniversary of the park’s debut, libraries, museums, historical and civic organizations can schedule a program that includes a park memorabilia display. For more information, email Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com or send a direct message through the social media platforms.

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Beginning with January 2025, Freedomland U.S.A. / 250 will celebrate significant national and local 250th anniversary events and landmarks associated with the revolutionary years of 1775 and 1776. The Bronx at the time of the war was the southern portion of New York’s Westchester County. Related history that occurred within York City, as lower Manhattan often was referenced during that period, that now encompasses the five boroughs of New York City also will be celebrated by Freedomland U.S.A. / 250. Tributes and commemorations of these events and landmarks will be interspersed among all the photographs, postings and news associated with the history of America’s theme park.