Mountain Lake Park Historical Association Inc

Victorian chautauqua - chautauqua represents an educational institution for experiential learning of literary works, music, historical and topical people and events, arts, and culture. Originally resurrected by the maryland humanities in 1995, a modern maryland chautauqua was established. After twenty-six (26) years, the virtual event in 2020, was the final season. Mountain lake park residents and volunteers who assisted with the 2019 chautauqua program decided to make the weekend festival an annual event and re-named the victorian chautauqua. The two-day festival features live music, historical lectures, re-enactors, artists, heritage demonstrations, and historic trolley tours. All parking and festival activities are free to attend.

Kid-tauqua - the children's version of the victorian chautauqua. Kid-tauqua occupies its own tent, which is located close to the victorian chautauqua events. The kid-tauqua tent has special music programs, demonstrations, tie-dying and make 'n take crafts. Programs include storytelling with puppets, interactive theatre games and the opportunity to dress up in victorian-style clothing, learn the guitar, interactive songs, and gaco robotics demonstrations.

1. Bethel center - ame church - one (1) african methodist episcopal (a.m.e.) church existed in the oakland area from the late nineteenth century through the early twentieth century. The a.m.e. Church was the only "colored" church for african americans where sunday services, weddings, baptisms, guest speakers, schooling and end-of-life services were provided. As the congregation diminished, the a.m.e. Church became a vacant building. The empty building was relocated, in 1935, to an amish farm in pleasant valley where it became wheelwright's shop to repair buggies and harnesses. In 2022, the town of mountain lake park mayor and town council purchased the building. The building was dismantled and deconstructed. The a.m.e. Church was renamed the bethel center and sits in its permanent location in the historical district within mountain lake park. A re-dedication ceremony was held on september 23, 2024, which was 124 years from its original dedication in 1900. Ps revenue = 0 ps expenses = 4,496 2. Tennis - the women from mountain lake park began and managed the mountain lake park tennis club as a form of recreation. The 100+ year old clay courts are stilled maintained and available for play. These courts are the home of the western maryland tennis tournament. The mountain lake park tennis club dissolved its charter in 2023, and the courts transitioned under the umbrella of mlpha. Trophies, memorabilia, and other historical items are housed in the museum and mountain lake park town hall. Ps revenue = 4,867 ps expenses = 5,288 3. Museum - the ticket office museum is one (1) of sixty-one (61) original structures remaining in mountain lake park. The structure served as the ticket office for the bashford amphitheater, which held 5,000 people and had a stage large enough for up to 450 performers. Amazingly, there were no center support poles, which guaranteed a "good" seat for all. Unfortunately, the bashford fell into disrepair and funds were not available for repairs. Ultimately, the bashford was demolished. In 2023, the ticket office museum was renovated. After six (6) months of intense labor, the newly renovated museum opened in time for the victorian chautauqua held on july 8th and 9th. The exhibition is designed to guide visitors through the rise of the maryland chautauqua summer resort and to its transition to a year-round incorporated municipality. Ps revenue = 856 ps expenses = 1,864