Tennessee
Memphis
Children’s Museum
of Memphis
Memphis Grand
Carousel
At the Children’s
Museum of Memphis is a Dentzel carousel that was in
2017 meticulously and beautifully restored by Carousels and Carvings, Inc. in
Marion, Ohio. Of over 120 pre-1930 carousels we have visited and studied, the
carousel at the Children’s Museum of Memphis is one of the most beautiful we
have ever seen.
The carousel is
populated by 32 jumpers. 16 standers, and two chariots, one of which has been modified
and/or designed to accommodate a wheelchair. It is thought that D. C. Muller
may have been involved with either the carving or its supervision since some of
the outside row horses are in the style of Muller. The carousel is one of just
a few remaining Dentzel all horse carousels.
The rounding
boards with the jesters alternating with mirrors are beautiful. The inside
panels are populated with mirrors which are tilted downward to reflect the
horses. Intricate carvings beautify the inside panels. 1,300 lights illuminate
the carousel.
The carousel is
housed in a most beautiful and newly constructed pavilion.
Although the
carousel was manufactured in 1909, it is not certain where it was first
installed. The National Carousel Association claims the original location is
not known, but another source claims the carousel was originally at Forest Park
in Chicago. After a fire at Forest Park, the carousel was returned to the Dentzel factory where it was modified under the direction
of William Dentzel. The rounding boards and inside
panels were extensively modified. Except for several years in storage, the
carousel has been in Memphis:
1923-1974 Mid-South Fairgrounds
1976-2005 Libertyland
2005-2017 Storage and Restoration
2017-Present Children’s Museum of
Memphis
The Children’s
Museum of Memphis is a beautiful museum offering many exhibits and programs for
children.
We express our
appreciation to Ms. Caroline Parkes for her hospitality in hosting us at the
Museum. Ms. Parkes remembers riding the carousel as a child when it was at Libertyland in Memphis.
For information on
operating times call 901-458-2678 or access the museum’s website at www.cmom.com.
For additional information:
National Carousel
Association
http://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html
Children’s Museum
of Memphis
This site is a
nice history of the carousel.
The horse on the
left is very Mulleresque with the bed roll behind the
saddle and the bugle.
Two Views of the
Chariot Constructed to Accommodate Wheelchairs
Rounding Boards
Inside Panels and
Decorations
