Ep. 06 Pleasure Island
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Ep. 06 Pleasure Island
-
Narrated by:
-
By:
About this listen
In this episode, Kylie and Clarissa uncover the story behind 24 eerily adorable carnival cats in the Fredericksburg Area Museum’s collection—and the wild history they represent. These stuffed leather felines once lived on Scott’s Island, a small patch of land beneath Chatham Bridge better known in the 1920s as Pleasure Island.
But this story stretches far beyond one decade. From patriotic celebrations in the 1800s to fireworks, floating bridges, and yes, carnival games designed to be nearly impossible, Scott’s Island was Fredericksburg’s go-to party spot for over a century. We’ve got dance pavilions, greased poles, early movie nights, and wooden milk bottles you’d never knock over.
What do these strange objects reveal about entertainment,community, and the parts of history we almost forget? Let’s find out!
Music Credit: "Phantom Waltz Dance" by Stocktune, used with permission.