The Merry-Go-Round Museum

Since the day was still young when we left Port Clinton, we headed for Sandusky because we wanted to visit the Merry-Go-Round Museum. We just didn't have the time when we were there previously.

Merry-Go-Round Museum

The Merry-Go-Round Museum is in the old Post Office Building in downtown Sandusky. The theme for this year is "Grab the Brass Ring". “Grab the Brass Ring” provides an interesting look at carousel animals from 1895 to 2011. It features signed horses, menagerie carvings, and a new wolf which I love! We took a tour inside the museum and we were told about the various historic carving styles": Coney Island, Philadelphia and Country Fair.

Lighthouses In Front of the Museum - 
This one has Carousel Horses

Front of the Band Organ

Back of the Band Organ

We had a demonstration of the band organ.  Was fun to see the moving parts!

Horses on Display

I loved this Wolf

We both enjoyed climbing aboard the "fully restored" Allan Herschell Carousel with the band organ playing. The carousel at the heart of the museum was purchased in 1991. It was built in North Tonawanda, New York. The carousel came without any of the original animals. The frame was cleaned and refurbished, scenery panels were repainted, and the museum staff and volunteers constructed a new platform. The museum has populated the carousel with figures from the museum's collections as well as on loan from private collectors. Historic "County Fair" or "Country Fair" style animals from a variety of carvers are used, plus several recent carvings.

Fully Restored Allan Herschell Carousel

Mary Riding a Sea Horse

Mary's Ride

Workshop and Restoration Area

Although you can sometimes watch carvers bring neglected carousel pieces back to their full beauty, no one was working today. There were several pieces in the process of being restored and they had started a new horse that will be auctioned off as a fund raiser later this year.

Legs in the Making