Are Playgrounds Historic?

Absolutely! Here's an #InsideTheArchives post from our Facebook account that looks at a couple of historic photographs from two local playgrounds alongside a collection of current photos from this year. These snapshots give us changes to the structures over the years. These can inform us about what interested kids at the time, what was considered safe, and show us what has changed or remained over time in our community. Each photograph gives us a glimpse of life from that year in Los Alamos history. Do you have any photographs or objects that reflect what Los Alamos life is like?

Pine Street playlot on August 18, 1950. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archives.

Have you ever wondered what objects, photographs, or documents from your home you should consider donating to the Los Alamos Historical Society Archives? We use our organization’s mission statement about preserving, promoting, and communicating Los Alamos history for all audiences to help guide our acceptance of donations to our collections.

There are more than 20 playgrounds/parks in Los Alamos County. Over the years some of these parks have changed name and design, but their locations remain the same (for examples, Cinderella Park became Mountain Meadows, and Rocketship Park became Piñon Park). Have you been to any of these playgrounds (neighborhood or pocket parks)? Do you have a “hidden” park near you?