My Artifacts & Memorabilia

Vintage memorabilia & artifacts in my collection

2 photos merged together: Kevin standing in front of his display at the 2025 Amusement Preservation Museum Open House, and the museum's sign listing examples of amusement parks featured in their collection

Highlights of My Experience Displaying at the 2025 Amusement Preservation Museum Open House

Kevin F. Smith

This past weekend (June 7 & 8), I participated in the Amusement Preservation Museum’s 2025 Open House as a guest exhibitor. This was, by far, my largest display to date, and to paraphrase one visitor, the most impressive amusement park memorabilia display he had ever seen! Despite the weather being (unfortunately, yet also appropriately) as inconsistent as a roller coaster’s elevation, an estimated 200 guests came to see the museum’s extensive collection of ride cars and other artifacts, as well as my display!

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Kevin on the Euclid Beach Grand Carousel at the Cleveland History Center. Both Kevin and the pictured carousel horse are wearing party hats.

Happy 115th Birthday to the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel!

Kevin F. Smith

I spent most of today at the Cleveland History Center, celebrating the anniversary of the carousel’s debut at Euclid Beach Park in 1910! There was a steady flow of riders throughout the day for the occasion, and while I was not officially scheduled to participate in the event, I came prepared with several vintage items from my personal collection that have direct connections to the carousel! (Please see the photos below for more detailed descriptions.)

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Giant Penny Paperweight from Summit Beach Park

Giant Penny Paperweight from Summit Beach Park

Kevin F. Smith

Summit Beach Park was a noteworthy attraction in Akron for over 40 years, quickly growing to absorb the neighboring Lakeside Park. I have personally seen very few surviving Summit Beach relics, but I’m excited to share that I’ve acquired a very nice souvenir paperweight from the park! Essentially an oversized penny, one side is nearly identical to a similar one I own from Euclid Beach, other than the park’s name. However, the other side of this one is completely different, featuring an embossed image of a Native American.

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