Carousel Museum

I've been stuck indoors for two days in New York thanks to Irene, so I thought I would do a little investigating into what to see and do when I am finally able to get out of the house and the subway is back on! Here is a list of carousel Museums that are scattered across the States. I don't think I will get a chance to visit any during my time here right now in New York but I do plan a visit to most on my return trip next Spring, when I will be back for the International Artist-in-Residence Program at NARS.

Herschell Museum Building

Herschell Museum in North Tonawanda, New York is the only carousel museum in the world located in an original carousel factory building. It occupies the building complex which housed the Allan Herschell Company, founded in 1915, and still has the large carving shop where 50-75 carvers worked. They offer wood carving classes, which I'm so onto when I come back next year. Google Maps

C.W Parker Carousel Museum

The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is in Kansas and has three working carousels and a master carver doing demonstrations on-site. One of the carousels is the oldest operating wooden carousel in the United States. Simply named the Primitive Carousel, it was built circa 1850-60, and is owned by the National Carousel Association. It is on permanent loan to the C.W.Parker Carousel Museum. Visitors cannot ride this carousel as it is extremely rare and fragile, but can see it being operated by two men cranking the wheels by hand for it to turn. Google Maps

Primitive Carousel

Kit Carson County Carousel

Kit Carson County Carousel is the sixth of 74 carousels manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) between 1904 and 1933. The carousel is housed in a 12-sided frame building. They have an exhibit on the history of the carousel, including a formative display on how a carousel horse is carved called 'plank to pony'.  Google Maps

The Merry-Go-Round Museum

The Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky, Ohio offers live sculpting shows and houses various events throughout the year. Their website offers an extensive range of videos of the museum experience. Google Maps

The New England Carousel Museum

The New England Carousel Museum in Connecticut has an extensive educational program, my favourite being a sleep over within the museum (probably not for adults though). They house one of the largest collections of antique carousel pieces in the country and are dedicated to the acquisition, restoration and preservation of operating carousels and carousel memorabilia. Google Maps

International Museum of Carousel Art

International Museum of Carousel Art is temporarily closed as they are relocating into another space. If you go to their website, you can attend Carousel College where you can learn all sorts of Carousel trivia, from restoring to it's history. 

Running Horses Studio

And last but not least, Running Horses Studio in Irwindale, where I am currently holding a volunteer position. Lourinda Bray is hoping to collect enough funding to set up her museum over the next few years, but for now, you can visit on a Saturday for a personal guided tour of her collection. She owns a full carousel but it is in storage as there just isn't enough room.