New York

New York is home to more classic carousels than any other state.

Albany

New York State Museum

The New York State Museum is home to a 1912-1916 full sized Herschell-Spillman, three-row portable with 32 jumping horses, four standing horses, four menagerie animals (two deer, two donkeys), a beautiful Neptune’s chariot and two tubs. According to the New York State Museum, the horses are probably from an earlier Armitage Herschell track carousel dating to the 1890s, and menagerie animals from either the Charles W. F. Dare Carousel Manufacturing Company or the American Carousel Company. The carousel was originally in Wellsville, New York, from 1916 to 1930, in Olcott Beach, New York from 1931 to 1932, at the Olivecrest Amusement Park in Cuba, New York from 1932 to 1975. The New York State Museum acquired the carousel in 1975 and held it in storage until 2011 when it was installed in the museum’s new Terrace Gallery.

The New York State Museum is in Albany, New York at 222 Madison Avenue. You can visit them on the web at http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/.

For more information call 518-474-5877.

For further information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

The New York State Museum

http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/exhibitions/ongoing/carousel-0

Buffalo

Canalside

Buffalo Heritage Carousel

A completely and beautifully refurbished 1924 Spillman Engineering 3-row solar-powered carousel populated with 21 jumpers, 6 standers, 1 lion, 1 tiger, 1 giraffe, 1 deer, 1 dragon, 1 ostrich, 1 mule, 3 chariots (one chariot accommodates wheelchairs), and one rocker opened in Buffalo in Spring 2021. Some horses have hair tails while others are carved. The carousel was originally manufactured for Domenick De Angelis and first operated in Mayflower Grove in Pembroke, Massachusetts from 1924 to 1931 after which it was in storage until 1940. It operated at Houghs Neck in Quincy, Massachusetts from 1940 to 1956 after which it was in storage until restoration began in 2016.

For information about operating times call 716-493-2110 or access their website at www.buffaloheritagecarousel.org.

For further information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Buffalo Heritage Carousel, Inc

A most interesting history of the carousel: History — Buffalo Heritage Carousel

Rocking Chariot

Chariot that accommodates wheelchairs

Rounding Boards

Binghamton Area

Broome County

Thanks to the generosity of George F. Johnson (1857–1948), president of the Endicott Johnson Corporation, the Binghamton, New York area is home to six Allan Herschell carousels. Johnson believed that carousels made everyone happy and should be enjoyed by everyone. Thus, Johnson made the stipulation that rides on his carousels would always be free. Johnson donated the carousels between1919 and 1934.

George F. Johnson

We drove to Broome County from Connecticut and saw all six carousels in one day.

For more information about any of the Binghamton area carousels access the website at www.gobroomecounty.com/community/Carousels.

For further information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Binghamton

Recreation Park

The carousel at George F. Johnson Recreation Park is a 1925 Allan Herschell four-row with 60 jumping horses and two chariots. The music is provided by a Wurlizter 146-B. The carousel is in its original location and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information call 607-772-7017.

Link to Youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7NdJCHRfA0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxb5Pls3rzE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuiufIpeQB8

Binghamton

Ross Park Zoo

The Allan Herschell carousel at Ross Park Zoo is a 1920, four-row with 60 jumping horses and two chariots. The band organ is a Wurlitzer 146A. The carousel is still in its original location and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Of the six carousels in the Binghamton area, this one is in most need of restoration.

For more information call 607-772-7017.

Endicott

George W. Johnson Park

George W. Johnson Park is home to a 1934 three row, portable carousel with 36 jumping horses and two chariots. The carousel is still in its original location and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. There is no band organ.

For more information call 607-757-0856.

Endicott

West Endicott Park

The Allan Herschell portable carousel at West Endicott Park was constructed in 1929. It consists of three rows of 34 jumping horses, two menagerie animals (one dog and one pig) and two chariots. There is no band organ. The carousel is still in its original location and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information call 607-786-2970.

Endwell

Highland Park

The Highland Park carousel in Endwell, New York is a 1925 Allan Herschell three row portable with 34 jumping horses, two menagerie animals (one dog and one pig) and two chariots. There is no band organ. The carousel was originally located in En-Joie Park in Endicott where it remained from 1925 to 1967 after which it was moved to its present location. The carousel listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information call 607-786-2970.

Johnson City

C. Fred Johnson Park

This Allan Herschell carousel was constructed in 1923. The carousel has four rows of 72 jumping horses. There are no chariots. The band organ was lost to flooding. The carousel is still in its original location and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information call 607-797-3031.

Garden City

Cradle of Aviation Museum

Nunley’s Carousel

Nunley’s Carousel is so named because it was at Nunley's Amusement Park in Baldwin, New York from 1939 to 1995. It was originally in Canarsie Golden City Park, Brooklyn, New York from 1912 to 1939. When Nunley’s Amusement Park closed in 1995, the carousel was purchased by Nassau County. From 1995 to 2009 it was in storage and undergoing restoration. The carousel was constructed in 1910-1912 and contains a mixture of Murphy, Stein and Goldstein figures. It is a three-row carousel with 30 jumping horses, 11 standing horses, one lion and two chariots. The band organ is a Wurlitzer 153.

There is a nominal admission charge for the museum, but one can visit the carousel and ride ($2.00/ride) without visiting the museum.

For more information call 516-572-4111 or access their website at https://www.cradleofaviation.org/ or

http://www.cradleofaviation.org/plan_your_visit/nunleys_carousel.html

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Links to Youtube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqCsX4fC9tM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImS-4-ZKQp8

Greenport

Mitchell Park

Northrop-Grumman Carousel

It is thought the Northrop-Grumman Carousel Herschell-Spillman was originally part of a travelling carnival from the time of its construction in 1920 to about 1950 after which it remained in Bethpage for a few years before being purchased by the Grumman Company to be used at their picnic grounds in Calverton, New York until 1995. It was moved to Mitchell Park in 1995. The carousel is a three-row portable consisting of 36 jumping horses and two chariots. There is no band organ, but the ring arm is operational.

Rides are $2.00.

For more information call 613-477-0248 or visit their website at http://villageofgreenport.org/carousel-greenport-village.php.

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

North Tonawanda

Allan Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

The carousel at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is a 1916 #1 Special, three-row portable with 36 jumping horses, one chariot and one tub. The carousel was originally in London, Ontario, and after moving a few times and nearly a decade in storage it moved to the Herschell Carousel Factory Museum in 1982. A ride on the carousel is included with admission to the museum.

The museum has the original workshop, band organs/rolls, band organ roll punching machine, band organs, and many vintage Herschell kiddie rides (see below).

The museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 180 Thompson Street, North Tonawanda, New York.

You can visit them on the web at www.carrouselmuseum.org or on Facebook (facebook.com/herschellmuseum).

For more information call 716-693-1885.

For further information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Links to Youtube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0hIs-ZLhqo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_hsMlBh-EQ

Also featured at the Allan Herschell Carrousel Museum is a 1936 Little Beauty kiddie carousel (aluminum), four functioning rides [helicopters, cars, boats, horse/carts (harness racing)], and many other Herschell memorabilia.

1936 Little Beauty Kiddie Carousel

1957

Carving Room

New York City

Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Jane’s Carousel

Located at the Brooklyn (DUMBO) end of the Brooklyn Bridge on the East River overlooking the Manhattan skyline is Jane’s Carousel, Philadelphia Toboggan Company #61, a 1922 three-row with 30 jumping horses, 18 standing horses and two chariots. The band organ is a ca. 1915 Gebrüder Brüder 107. The carvings are attributed to John Zalar and Frank Carretta. The carousel was originally in Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio until 1984 when it was placed in storage. In 1984, the carousel was purchased at auction by Jane and David Walentas to prevent its dismantling and selling of individual horses. Jane Walentas fully restored the carousel to its original colors. It was displayed in Brooklyn from 2007 until 2011 until it was placed in operation in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The carousel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Rides are $2.00.

For more information call 718-222-2502 or access their website at www.janescarousel.com.

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sqZqOsPyMw

New York City

Brooklyn

Coney Island

Steeplechase Plaza

B & B Carousell

The B & B Carousel is a 1906 Mangels/Carmel three row with 36 jumping horses, 14 standing horses and two chariots. The music is provided by a Gebrüder Brüder band organ. The B & B Carousell was originally at Bertrand Island, Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey until 1932, but since then, it has been at Coney Island except between 2005 and 2013 when it was in storage. The carousel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information call 718-373-5862 or access their website at http://lunaparknyc.com/attractions/bb-carousell/

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

New York City

Brooklyn

Forest Park

The Forest Park carousel is a beautifully restored and well-maintained D. C. Muller. It is one of the two intact D. C. Muller carousels still operating. The frame was constructed by in 1890 the William Dentzel Company, and in 1903, Daniel Muller carved the horses. It has three rows with 36 jumping horses, 13 standing horses, three menagerie animals (one lion, one deer and one tiger) and two chariots. There are also two Carmel and one Dentzel horse on the carousel. The music is provided by a Ruth and Sohn which plays Wurlitzer rolls. The carousel was originally at Lakeview Park in Dracut, Massachusetts from 1910 to 1971 after which it was completely restored and moved to its present location in 1973. The carousel closed in 2009 but reopened in 2012.

Rides are $3.00.

For more information on operating times call 718-788-2676 or access their website at http://www.forestparkcarousel.com/

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjsnGanWIpU

Original Ticket Booth

New York City

Manhattan

Central Park

There has been a carousel at Central Park since 1871. The beautiful 1908 Stein and Goldstein carousel at Central Park began its life thrilling children of all ages at Coney Island where it remained until 1951 after which it was moved to Central Park where it continues to thrill. The carousel became Central Park’s fourth carousel. The carousel is a four row with 52 jumping horses, five standing horses and two chariots. The carousel rotates to the music of a Ruth and Sohn 33 which has been converted to play Wurlitzer rolls.

Rides are $3.00.

For more information call 212-439-6900 or visit their website at http://www.centralpark.com/guide/ attractions/carousel.html

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

New York City

Queens

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

On the site of the 1964-1965 World’s Fair sits a 1903-1908 Mangels/Illions four-row carousel with 64 jumping horses, seven standing horses, one lion and two chariots. The music is from a Bruder band organ that plays BAB 887-key rolls. The carousel was installed at Coney Island in 1903 where it remained until 1964. According to the National Carousel Association, the frame, band organ, chariots and 47 horses from the Stubbman Carousel (built in 1908) from Coney Island and 24 horses from Feltman’s Carousel (built in 1903) from Coney Island were combined and installed on the site of the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows/Corona Park in 1964 and remained open until the Fair closed in 1965 offering rides for 15 cents. The carousel reopened in a new location in Flushing Meadows/Corona Park at Fantasy Forest in 1968 where it remains. Regrettably, this historic carousel, carved by Marcus Illions, one of America’s most famous carvers, is in desperate need of restoration. Look carefully at the platform in the photos below to locate the slots that made the horses tilt as the platform rotated.

Rides are $3.00

For more information call 718-788-2676 or visit their website at http://fantasyforestnyc.com/.

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flushing_Meadows_Carousel

Note the slots in the platform in the left photo!

Old Forge

Enchanted Forest/Water Safari

We have not visited Enchanted Forest which is home to a 1930s Allan Herschell carousel.

For more information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Olcott Beach

Olcott Beach Carousel Park

The Carousel Park at Olcott Beach on the south shore of Lake Ontario is a 1928 Herschell-Spillman two-row metal and wood horses consisting of 20 jumping horses, three standing horses and one chariot. One chariot has been replaced with three small metal kiddie horses. The band organ is a 1931Wurlitzer 145-A. The carousel has had a long journey to Olcott Beach having started its career at Gooding Amusements in Columbus, Ohio where it remained from 1928 to the 1950s. After living in Indiana for some fifty years, it made its current home at Olcott Beach in 2001.

Olcott Beach Carousel Park is also home to other Allan Herschell kiddie rides including sky fighter and kiddie cars. Additional kiddie rides include the rocket swing, mahogany boats and a Ferris wheel. The park is operated by a non-profit community foundation “that was formed for the purpose of creating an historic amusement park reminiscent of the 1940-1950’s era.” Olcott Beach is home to a former amusement park. The high school and college students working at the park are paid whereas all the adults are volunteers.

All rides are 25 cents!

For more information call 716-778-7066 or visit their website at http://www.olcottbeachcarouselpark.org/

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTZ4hnJAOg8

Redford

Church of the Assumption

In Redford resides a ca 1895 Armitage-Herschell track carousel that operates only during the Church of the Assumption’s yearly Redford picnic on the third Sunday of August from 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM. (The Picnic was first held in 1855.) The carousel is a two-row carousel with 24 jumpers and 4 chariots. Two pair of the horses with horsehair tails may be new replacements, but we have not conformed this for certain. It is possible that these two pair have been recently restored. The original horses have tails of braided rope. All the original horses need a full restoration as the last painting was done at the local prison. The track rail and platform wheels have been replaced by tires. Although the carousel was probably powered originally by a steam engine as were other Armitage-Herschell carousels, it is now powered by a tractor via the power take-off. In the past, horses were used to power the carousel.

It is not known where the carousel originally resided, but it has been in the possession of the Church of the Assumption of Redford since at least the 1920s. It has been reported that the carousel was obtained by the Church of the Assumption after a traveling carnival went bankrupt (maybe as early as 1910) and was abandoned. We have also been told that the Church obtained the carousel from someone who owed the Church money. The first recorded use of the carousel by the Church of the Assumption is in 1925.

Music is provided by a calliope.

For information on operating times call 518-293-5169.

We wish to thank Perry Lawton for showing us the carousel, pointing out its features, and relating its history. We had a very enjoyable morning.

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Traditional Arts of Upstate New York

Redford Carousel » TAUNY Register of Very Special Places (northcountryfolklore.org)

William G. Pomeroy Foundation

REDFORD PICNIC | William G. Pomeroy Foundation (wgpfoundation.org)

Link to Video from WPBS-TV

WPBS TV; Redford Annual Picnic - YouTube

Note the rope tails on these original horses!

The platform with rubber tires and drive cable.

The Drive Mechanism

The Drive Mechanism

The Drive Mechanism

Calliope

Rochester

Ontario Beach Park

The carousel at Ontario Beach Park is a beautifully restored, 1905 three row, two platform Dentzel with 22 jumping horses, 11 standing horses, 19 menagerie animals (three cats, one deer, one giraffe, one goat, one lion, two mules, three ostriches, three pigs, three rabbits, one tiger) and two chariots. The carousel has been modified to accommodate ADA accessibility. The band organ is a 1987 Stinson 165. The carousel is in its original location and is the only remaining ride from the amusement park once on the site.

Rides are $1.00.

For more information call 585-865-2831 or access their website at www.monroecounty.gov/parks-ontariobeach.php.

For additional information:

The National Carousel Association

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Links to Youtube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHNxKD_FzR8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU0fqOfWgKg

Rochester

Strong National Museum of Play

The Elaine Wilson Carousel

The Elaine Wilson Carousel is a 1918 Allan Herschell two-row with 20 jumping horses, three standing horses, one chariot and one tub. The horses are a mixture of Allan Herschell and Herschell-Spillman carvings. The chariot is new. The carousel has been at the museum since 1996 after being in storage in Gant, Alabama for 25 years and in Tampa, Florida undergoing restoration for three years. The original location of the carousel and its history are unknown.

There is a nominal admission fee to the museum, but the carousel can be viewed for free just outside the main gate of the museum. Rides are $1.00

For more information call 585-263-2700 or access their website at http://www.museumofplay.org/.

For additional information:

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP___EUxzWk

Rye

Rye Playland

The historic Rye Playland is home to a classic park style Mangels/Carmel carousel and a rare Prior and Church racing derby, both of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Playland is also home to the famous 1929 wooden Dragon Coaster.

Carousel

The carousel at Rye Playland is a beautiful 1915 Mangels/Carmel four-row with 48 jumping horses, 18 standing horses and three chariots. The band organ is a McDonough 165 with a Gavioli facade. The carousel has been at Rye Playland since 1929 when it was moved from Savin Rock in West Haven, Connecticut.

Racing Derby

The four row Prior and Church 1927-1929 racing derby has 56 jumping horses carved by Marcus Illions. It is only one of two remaining Church and Prior racing derbies in the United States. The horses not only move up and down but also back and forth. The adults only racing derby rotates at a speed of 25 mph, three times that of the average carousel. The building housing the racing derby is original.

There is an admission charge to the amusement park which includes rides on the carousel and racing derby.

For more information call 914-813-7010 or access their website at http://www.ryeplayland.org/.

For additional information:

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playland_(New_York)

Links to Youtube videos:

Carousel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJag3-7Z9Ko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_O-XXkUmf0

Racing Derby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RT3Y-k5oS8

Carousel

Racing Derby

Saratoga Springs

Congress Park

The beautiful Mangels/Illions circa 1910 carousel has two rows with 28 jumping horses with horse hair tails and two chariots. There is no band organ. The carousel was a Forest Park in Ballston Lake, New York from 1910 to 1930. It then opened at Round Lake in Ballston Lake, New York in 1932 and remained there until 1943. In 1943 it moved to Kaydeross Park in Saratoga Springs, New York where it remained until 1987. The City of Saratoga Springs purchased and rescued the carousel in 1987 when the individual horses were headed for the auction block. It was stored for many years, refurbished and opened in its present location in Congress Park in 2001.

Rides are $1.00.

For more information call 518-587-3550 or access their website at http://www.saratoga.com/news/carousel.cfm.

For additional information:

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Schenevus

The circa 1908 Herschell-Spillman carousel in Schenevus, New York is on the National Register of Historic Places, and once you see this wonderful track carousel, you will know why. The carousel is formally known as the Twentieth Century Steam Riding Gallery No. 409. It has been owned by the Schenevus Fire Department since 1949 and operates once a year (usually the third weekend in July) at the Fireman’s Carnival. The two-row portable has 24 horses and four chariots. The horses have a mechanism that make them rock. There is an inner row of sixteen folding benches that face outward. The band organ is a 1906 North Tonawanda which was recently added.

For more information call 607-638-5656.

For additional information:

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Syracuse

Destiny USA

Carousel Center Mall

The carousel at Destiny USA is a 1909 Philadelphia Toboggan Company #18 (78R) three-row with 42 jumping horses and two chariots. The carousel has been most beautifully restored to the original1909 colors. The band organ is an Artizan which plays Wurlitzer rolls. The carousel has had a long history. It was originally located in Louisville, Kentucky, moved to Worcester, Massachusetts and then moved to Erie, Pennsylvania. From 1926 to 1941, the carousel was located at Long Branch Amusement Park in Syracuse, New York. It moved to Roseland Amusement Park in Canandaigua, New York in 1941 where it remained until 1985. After a total restoration, the carousel was moved to its present location in the Carousel Center Mall (Destiny USA) in Syracuse.

Leo Zoller carved all 43 horses and the two chariots for PTC #18. It took Zoller a year to carve the horses for which he was paid $1000.

For more information call 315-466-6000 or access the Destiny USA website at https://www.destinyusa.com/.

For additional information:

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4BVEfyKP2M

Rounding Boards

Scenery Panels

West Hempstead

Hempstead Lake State Park

Heckscher Carousel

This carousel was named after August Heckscher, a businessman and philanthropist, who donated the carousel to Hempstead Lake State Park in 1931. The previous location(s) is/are unknown. The three-row 1914 Mangels/Illions has 36 jumping horses and two chariots. Two of the Illions horses are from Willow Grove Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and two horses are new carvings.

There is a nominal admission fee to the park. Carousel rides at $2.00.

For more information call 516-766-1029or visit their website at http://nysparks.com/parks/31/details.aspx.

For additional information:

http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6c_Nh2yR0g