YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – “The Idora Park Experience,” a new exhibit at the Tyler History Center, highlights stories from the beloved amusement park and the local couple that has amassed a trove of artifacts from it.
Jim and Toni Amey didn’t set out to start a museum, but their collection of games, rides and memorabilia from the defunct park has grown to be one of the most extensive of its kind.
Once they realized the significance of what they had created, they knew they had to share it with the public. The Ameys opened The Idora Park Experience, housed in a 4,400-square-foot building on their Canfield property, and welcomed the community to see it.
The park, which was located on the city’s South Side, opened in 1899 and closed in 1984.
The Idora Park Experience began as a labor of love.
Jim Amey spent a summer working on Idora’s midway, gathering memories that fueled his passion for preserving the park’s legacy. He and Toni began collecting pieces of Idora’s past about 30 years ago. As the collection grew, their mission transformed from holding onto childhood memories to saving an important part of the Mahoning Valley’s history.
While few under age 50 have memories of Idora, the Ameys are committed to sharing the park’s important history with new generations and audiences.
Their collection will soon become part of a new museum in downtown Youngstown, in the former IBM building, 250 E. Federal St. The exhibit at the Tyler offers a preview of the museum, including Fun House mirrors, the Relax-a-lator, signs and park models.
The Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown, is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
Pictured at top: The exhibit at the Tyler History Center includes signage from the former Idora Park.