The upstate amusement park Storytown U.S.A., now known as the Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, has been a part of our cultural experience for over sixty years. And thanks to the visionary genius of Charles R. Wood, this park has made countless children and parents happy. Trust me. Any man who can bring The Comet roller coaster to our lives deserves a special place in Heaven.
But Charles R. Wood was more than just an amusement park creator. He was a philanthropist who helped found the Double H Hole in the Woods Camp for children with life-threatening diseases and illnesses. He created other amusement parks, including the Gay 90’s themed Gaslight Village. He provided jobs and job security for thousands of residents in Warren County, and even today he is remembered with joy and happiness by those who knew him.
Tonight at 7:30 pm, WMHT premiers a new documentary, “Charles R. Wood: A Storied Life.” Here’s a little clip promoting the show.
http://player.pbs.org/viralplayer/2365666236
The documentary was produced by Working Pictures, the same entity that created the super-excellent history of Hoffman’s Playland last year. The documentary received its world premiere last week at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, one of the many businesses and entities that benefited from the generosity and foresight of Charles R. Wood.
I’m very excited to see this documentary; in fact, I lent several of my Storytown / Great Escape souvenirs to the filmmakers for their project. So if you see a collection of old Ghost Town “Deputy Marshall” tin badges in the documentary, badges that were handed out by Sheriff Wild Windy Bill McKay to all the junior deputies to help keep the streets of Ghost Town crime-free … well, those badges came from my collection.
Once again, the documentary “Charles R. Wood: A Storied Life” will debut on WMHT at 7:30 p.m. tonight; and will also be available on wmht.org and other locations.
Watch this documentary with your family.
You won’t regret it.
Chuck The Writer 
Awesome promo Chuck – I will be tuning in!
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Just watched the show last night Chuck. It was very interesting and entertaining. Loved seeing you on it as well. What a surprise. And it was cool to see your name rolling in the end. Congratulations!
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