Andrew Mellor takes a closer look at the world's only organisation dedicated to all aspects of the amusement industry.

During the summer of 1978, a group of people gathered in the backyard of a former employee of Chicago's shuttered Riverview Amusement Park to share memories of that beloved summer institution.

Those in attendance realised that their love for amusement parks extended well beyond Riverview.

It was that shared love that formed the basis of what is now the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) in the US – the world's only organisation dedicated to all aspects of the amusement industry.

Since then, NAPHA has grown into an international organisation that is considered a key resource on the history of the industry.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has utilised NAPHA as an information resource on numerous occasions, while NAPHA has also been contacted by countless authors, researchers, publications, museums and even advertising agencies.

As part of NAPHA's mission to preserve the heritage and traditions of amusement parks, the organisation tries to work with the industry to protect key components of its history.

NAPHA's efforts have resulted in the preservation of several historic rides, including the second Tilt-A-Whirl manufactured; one of America's last remaining Venetian Swing rides; and a 1936 Smith and Smith Chairplane.

But ride preservation goes beyond the restoration of actual rides. NAPHA has also played a role in recreating lost classics, providing vintage blue prints that led to the construction of the Raging Wolf Bobs at Geauga Lake in Ohio and the recreation of a classic wooden Flying Turns by Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania.

In addition, NAPHA was the catalyst for the reconstruction of the Zippin' Pippin wooden coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Wisconsin.

But NAPHA cannot preserve the industry alone and in 1993, it began its Life Membership Award to honour organisations that demonstrate a "commitment to preserving the heritage and traditions of the amusement park industry".

Since that time the award has been presented to Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England, Kennywood in Pennsylvania, Playland in New York and Knoebels Amusement Resort. Each park was singled out for its extensive line-up of well-maintained historic amusement rides.

As a lead historical resource for the amusement industry, NAPHA has worked over the years to build an industry archive.

Recently, the archives received what is considered the largest amusement park postcard collection in the world from John Caruthers who started collecting amusement park related postcards in 1971 and amassed an estimated 16,000 cards.

The Caruthers collection complements the archive's existing holdings, chief amongst them of which is the Eugene K. Feerer Collection. Feerer was a former president of International Amusement Device, Inc. (IADI).

In addition to a wealth of information on IADI and its predecessor companies, the collection contains perhaps the largest assortment of material pertaining to John A. Miller 'the Thomas Edison of roller coasters.'

To further support its mission of preserving the heritage and tradition of the amusement industry, NAPHA established the Heritage Fund in 1994.

Using monies raised from donations, memorabilia auctions and other fundraising events, the fund has donated more than US$40,000 to organisations working to protect industry history.

Recipients have included industry related museums, groups working to preserve or restore specific historic rides and non-profit operators of amusement parks.

In 1986, NAPHA became the first organisation to survey its members on a regular basis.

Initially intended to provide feedback to NAPHA's Executive Committee, it soon became an anxiously awaited listing of favourite parks and attractions by an experienced group of amusement park visitors.

Many parks, including Busch Gardens in Virginia, use the results in their promotional campaigns.

But NAPHA is not just about preserving and promoting industry history. Each summer it hosts special events, inviting its members to experience an amusement park in a unique way.

While NAPHA visits parks of all types, whenever possible it focuses its events on amusement parks celebrating major anniversaries.

Since its founding, NAPHA has honoured 18 amusement parks that have celebrated their 100th anniversary, including 17 of the 41 in the US that have hit that milestone.