News
Nov 04 2009
Merry-Go-Round Museum hosts operating carousel
The former U. S. Post Office Building in downtown Sandusky opened quietly on March 12, 1927 after undergoing nearly one year of construction at a cost of $200,000. After more than eighty years, the old Post Office is still serving as a destination. It’s just that now, the only rounded façade post office in the United States serves as a carousel museum and it isn’t possible to send a package from there anymore.
When the Jackson Street building was completed in 1927, it was considered “state of the art.” In an article describing the new facility, the Sandusky Register article said “ the facilities for fast and convenient handling of the mails, the safety vaults for storage of securities, supplies and the general arrangements of the building are all far in advance of anything that was offered by the old structure.” The post office moved to newer quarters in 1986.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum, also known as the Museum of Carousel Art and History, was founded in 1989 to “preserve and promote the history of carousels, their legacy of beauty and art, and the happy memories of generations past, present, and future.” But really, it all began with a stamp. Well, the carousel stamps issued in 1988 by the U.S. Postal Service were the impetus for a party and the party became a museum.
Paul Calle of Stamford, CT, designed the first set of stamps. Because one of the featured animals was from Cedar Point’s Kiddieland carousel, the first day issue ceremony was held at the Sandusky Park.
The block of four stamps featured a Gustav Dentzel deer (ca. 1895), Charles Looff goat and camel (ca. 1880), and a king armored horse by Daniel Muller (ca. 1917). The king horse is from the Cedar Point carousel, and considered to be one of the rarest and most beautiful of all carousel figures.
To make it even more of an event, a group of local citizens “borrowed” the vacant former Sandusky Post Office and put together a special carousel display. The response was astonishing. More than 2,000 visitors came from across the nation to celebrate the carousel. The message was clear – people loved carousels, and would travel any distance to see them. They wanted a permanent carousel museum.
In the following months, a non-profit corporation was formed and purchased the unique post office building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and preserving that building became part of the mission. The corporation received a 501(c)(3) status and fund raising began.
A few basic structural changes were made to the building to make it into the Merry-Go-Round Museum. Four large supporting posts were removed in the main exhibit area to accommodate the size of the carousel, and two steel beams, 36-inches wide and 60-feet long were installed in the ceiling. Each of these beams weighed 200 pounds per foot. Support was added to the basement to handle the weight of the carousel.
A ceiling catwalk that ran the entire length of the building’s main floor was removed. Access to the walkway was by metal ladders inside the walls. Postal inspectors used the walkway to monitor activity at the workstations below to make sure that all of the employees were doing their jobs properly.
The doors of the Museum opened to the public on July 14, 1990, with the Grand Opening event held in September 1990.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum displays and exhibits artifacts that add to the public’s awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the history of the carousel. The Dentzel carving shop and its related pieces is a permanent exhibit. A borrowed merry-go-round operated in the museum for the first two years until the museum purchased and restored the present mechanism (circa 1939 Allan Herschell Co. county fair-style carousel).
The museum seeks exhibits from amusement parks, carnivals, and private individuals and encourages long and short-term loans of memorabilia and antiques from earlier periods of the amusement and carousel industry.
In 2009, Merry-Go-Memories focuses on the personal connections community members and carousel enthusiasts have with both merry-go-rounds and the animals that ride them. “Memories” takes a personal look at carousels and their place in our hearts and histories. For children of every age, carousels are intriguing, and memorable. Sharing a merry-go-round memory with a grandparent, sibling, or parent can be the start of fond remembrances of times past.
A French toddlers’ carousel anchors the International area within the display. The carousel was created by an unknown artist, ca. 1919. It consists of different pieces made of varying materials including metal, fiberglass, and wood. It includes several forms of transportation. Two metal racing cars, four metal touring cars, three motorcycles, four bicycles, and a motorboat accommodating two passengers are on the machine. Examples of carving are three wooden goats pulling a beautiful troika with scroll motifs and an upholstered seat, a wooden cow, tiger, fox, lion, horse, deer, and rabbit. There is also a fiberglass swan, horse, and horse pulling a wooden cart. The museum has reconstructed 1/3 of the carousel to be viewed.
The carousel has large scrolled rounding boards decorated with carved floral and leaf motifs and embellished with original scenery panels. The scenery panels are finished in original paintings of beautifully executed cherubs within cartouches. The center-pole housing is decorated with fine original floral paintings. A fancy matching band organ façade (no music) is also included with the carousel along with twisted metal plies. (Sotheby’s Carousel Art, 1989)
Restored and unrestored menagerie animals complete the exhibit with Bayol cows and a donkey rounding out the space. Gustave Bayol carved both of the French cows, ca. 1900. Bayol was born in Avignon, France in 1859. He apprenticed as a joiner and woodcarver, as had his father. He began carving ornamental woodwork, but after a showman hired him to carve wooden horses, the “House of Bayol” became a leader in French carousel production. Some Bayol carousel animals had voice mechanisms, perhaps powered by a bellows.
Both Bayol cows are made of solid basswood, with brass horns, brass tacks, and originally, mohair saddles. Before restoration, many layers of paint obscured the brass “Bayol” plaques on the restored cow. Plaques belonging to “Belle,” the un-restored figure in park paint, are missing.
In 2010, for the Museum’s 20th anniversary, the exhibit will feature the most unusual carousel animals of the past. The museum’s curator, Kurri Lewis, is researching the rarest of the rare in an effort to put together a intriguing exhibit for a special year. With support from The Randolph and Estelle Dorn and Frost-Parker Foundations, the museum staff and volunteers are excited to share unique carvings with visitors. But that’s just the start of the plans for 2010.
Music Box Society International is planning a Band Organ Rally in downtown Sandusky, using the museum as their “headquarters.” With fabulous parks close to the museum, these enthusiasts are taking over with lots of room to play the happiest music on earth. Tentatively scheduled for mid-July, the MBSI members are expecting to show off nearly 40 of their magnificent machines. This is in addition to the normal calendar of events through the summer including: International Museum Day in May; Fourth of July Community Celebration; Toast of Ohio Wine Festival in August; Wood Carver Show in September; the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in November; and to end the year, the Toast to the Town New Years Eve Gala.
Each New Years Eve, museum volunteers wrap up another fundraising event that started back in January.
Wood carvers create one new horse each year under the supervision of master carver and resident artist, Kathleen Adam. Based on historic elements, this original design echoes the delightful details of years ago. Ms. Adam is also responsible for painting the animal. For just a dollar chance, someone will win the horse of their dreams as the new year dawns.
Exhibits change regularly but the effort to maintain this wonderful old building is never finished. Through the efforts and support of several local foundations, and the board of trustees, lots of work has been completed during the past seven years, such as the copper roof, upgrades of the heating and cooling systems, window replacement, and lighting and electrical upgrades in specific restoration areas.
With this long list of accomplishments, including several program grants, the museum has completed funding for tuck pointing and masonry repairs for the facility. Water was working its way into the building through cracked mortar, which meant the building committee chased leaks regularly. Professionally tuck pointing this cracked mortar will permit the board and staff to spend more time focusing on the mission of preserving the history of the art and craft of carousels while creating educational programs to enrich this community. With continued investment and commitment, the board believes this 80-plus-year-old building will carry on its role as a cornerstone of redevelopment in downtown Sandusky and the greater Erie County community.
The museum’s board of trustees is committed to maintaining a firm, financial footing and a reasonable plan to continue the museum’s mission of promoting and preserving carousel history. Through hard work, the museum has been successful in soliciting grants from Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Park Service, and an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant. Recently, a grant application for replacing the fixtures in the lobby with reproduction and appropriate lighting was received. It’s always exciting to see restoration take place.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum is home to the National Carousel Archives. This research facility is a non-circulating library containing historic materials related to carousel art and history. The archive is available by appointment only whenever the museum is open.
Carousel-themed merchandise available in the museum gift shop, and on line at merrygoroundmuseum.org include tee shirts, jewelry, San Francisco music boxes, puzzles, books, and toys.
The Museum’s hours are: Memorial Day to Labor Day, Mon. through Sat., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun., 12 - 5 p.m. September to December 31, Wed. through Sat., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun., 12 - 5 p.m. January and February, open weekends only. March 1 to Memorial Day, Wednesday through Sat., 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun., 12 - 5 p.m. Additional hours may be arranged for groups by reservation only. Adults, $5; Seniors, $4; Children age 4-14, $3; children three and under are admitted free. Guided tours include one ride on the fully restored carousel in the center of the museum’s gallery with the opportunity to purchase additional ride tokens.
When the Jackson Street building was completed in 1927, it was considered “state of the art.” In an article describing the new facility, the Sandusky Register article said “ the facilities for fast and convenient handling of the mails, the safety vaults for storage of securities, supplies and the general arrangements of the building are all far in advance of anything that was offered by the old structure.” The post office moved to newer quarters in 1986.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum, also known as the Museum of Carousel Art and History, was founded in 1989 to “preserve and promote the history of carousels, their legacy of beauty and art, and the happy memories of generations past, present, and future.” But really, it all began with a stamp. Well, the carousel stamps issued in 1988 by the U.S. Postal Service were the impetus for a party and the party became a museum.
Paul Calle of Stamford, CT, designed the first set of stamps. Because one of the featured animals was from Cedar Point’s Kiddieland carousel, the first day issue ceremony was held at the Sandusky Park.
The block of four stamps featured a Gustav Dentzel deer (ca. 1895), Charles Looff goat and camel (ca. 1880), and a king armored horse by Daniel Muller (ca. 1917). The king horse is from the Cedar Point carousel, and considered to be one of the rarest and most beautiful of all carousel figures.
To make it even more of an event, a group of local citizens “borrowed” the vacant former Sandusky Post Office and put together a special carousel display. The response was astonishing. More than 2,000 visitors came from across the nation to celebrate the carousel. The message was clear – people loved carousels, and would travel any distance to see them. They wanted a permanent carousel museum.
In the following months, a non-profit corporation was formed and purchased the unique post office building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and preserving that building became part of the mission. The corporation received a 501(c)(3) status and fund raising began.
A few basic structural changes were made to the building to make it into the Merry-Go-Round Museum. Four large supporting posts were removed in the main exhibit area to accommodate the size of the carousel, and two steel beams, 36-inches wide and 60-feet long were installed in the ceiling. Each of these beams weighed 200 pounds per foot. Support was added to the basement to handle the weight of the carousel.
A ceiling catwalk that ran the entire length of the building’s main floor was removed. Access to the walkway was by metal ladders inside the walls. Postal inspectors used the walkway to monitor activity at the workstations below to make sure that all of the employees were doing their jobs properly.
The doors of the Museum opened to the public on July 14, 1990, with the Grand Opening event held in September 1990.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum displays and exhibits artifacts that add to the public’s awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the history of the carousel. The Dentzel carving shop and its related pieces is a permanent exhibit. A borrowed merry-go-round operated in the museum for the first two years until the museum purchased and restored the present mechanism (circa 1939 Allan Herschell Co. county fair-style carousel).
The museum seeks exhibits from amusement parks, carnivals, and private individuals and encourages long and short-term loans of memorabilia and antiques from earlier periods of the amusement and carousel industry.
In 2009, Merry-Go-Memories focuses on the personal connections community members and carousel enthusiasts have with both merry-go-rounds and the animals that ride them. “Memories” takes a personal look at carousels and their place in our hearts and histories. For children of every age, carousels are intriguing, and memorable. Sharing a merry-go-round memory with a grandparent, sibling, or parent can be the start of fond remembrances of times past.
A French toddlers’ carousel anchors the International area within the display. The carousel was created by an unknown artist, ca. 1919. It consists of different pieces made of varying materials including metal, fiberglass, and wood. It includes several forms of transportation. Two metal racing cars, four metal touring cars, three motorcycles, four bicycles, and a motorboat accommodating two passengers are on the machine. Examples of carving are three wooden goats pulling a beautiful troika with scroll motifs and an upholstered seat, a wooden cow, tiger, fox, lion, horse, deer, and rabbit. There is also a fiberglass swan, horse, and horse pulling a wooden cart. The museum has reconstructed 1/3 of the carousel to be viewed.
The carousel has large scrolled rounding boards decorated with carved floral and leaf motifs and embellished with original scenery panels. The scenery panels are finished in original paintings of beautifully executed cherubs within cartouches. The center-pole housing is decorated with fine original floral paintings. A fancy matching band organ façade (no music) is also included with the carousel along with twisted metal plies. (Sotheby’s Carousel Art, 1989)
Restored and unrestored menagerie animals complete the exhibit with Bayol cows and a donkey rounding out the space. Gustave Bayol carved both of the French cows, ca. 1900. Bayol was born in Avignon, France in 1859. He apprenticed as a joiner and woodcarver, as had his father. He began carving ornamental woodwork, but after a showman hired him to carve wooden horses, the “House of Bayol” became a leader in French carousel production. Some Bayol carousel animals had voice mechanisms, perhaps powered by a bellows.
Both Bayol cows are made of solid basswood, with brass horns, brass tacks, and originally, mohair saddles. Before restoration, many layers of paint obscured the brass “Bayol” plaques on the restored cow. Plaques belonging to “Belle,” the un-restored figure in park paint, are missing.
In 2010, for the Museum’s 20th anniversary, the exhibit will feature the most unusual carousel animals of the past. The museum’s curator, Kurri Lewis, is researching the rarest of the rare in an effort to put together a intriguing exhibit for a special year. With support from The Randolph and Estelle Dorn and Frost-Parker Foundations, the museum staff and volunteers are excited to share unique carvings with visitors. But that’s just the start of the plans for 2010.
Music Box Society International is planning a Band Organ Rally in downtown Sandusky, using the museum as their “headquarters.” With fabulous parks close to the museum, these enthusiasts are taking over with lots of room to play the happiest music on earth. Tentatively scheduled for mid-July, the MBSI members are expecting to show off nearly 40 of their magnificent machines. This is in addition to the normal calendar of events through the summer including: International Museum Day in May; Fourth of July Community Celebration; Toast of Ohio Wine Festival in August; Wood Carver Show in September; the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in November; and to end the year, the Toast to the Town New Years Eve Gala.
Each New Years Eve, museum volunteers wrap up another fundraising event that started back in January.
Wood carvers create one new horse each year under the supervision of master carver and resident artist, Kathleen Adam. Based on historic elements, this original design echoes the delightful details of years ago. Ms. Adam is also responsible for painting the animal. For just a dollar chance, someone will win the horse of their dreams as the new year dawns.
Exhibits change regularly but the effort to maintain this wonderful old building is never finished. Through the efforts and support of several local foundations, and the board of trustees, lots of work has been completed during the past seven years, such as the copper roof, upgrades of the heating and cooling systems, window replacement, and lighting and electrical upgrades in specific restoration areas.
With this long list of accomplishments, including several program grants, the museum has completed funding for tuck pointing and masonry repairs for the facility. Water was working its way into the building through cracked mortar, which meant the building committee chased leaks regularly. Professionally tuck pointing this cracked mortar will permit the board and staff to spend more time focusing on the mission of preserving the history of the art and craft of carousels while creating educational programs to enrich this community. With continued investment and commitment, the board believes this 80-plus-year-old building will carry on its role as a cornerstone of redevelopment in downtown Sandusky and the greater Erie County community.
The museum’s board of trustees is committed to maintaining a firm, financial footing and a reasonable plan to continue the museum’s mission of promoting and preserving carousel history. Through hard work, the museum has been successful in soliciting grants from Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Park Service, and an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant. Recently, a grant application for replacing the fixtures in the lobby with reproduction and appropriate lighting was received. It’s always exciting to see restoration take place.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum is home to the National Carousel Archives. This research facility is a non-circulating library containing historic materials related to carousel art and history. The archive is available by appointment only whenever the museum is open.
Carousel-themed merchandise available in the museum gift shop, and on line at merrygoroundmuseum.org include tee shirts, jewelry, San Francisco music boxes, puzzles, books, and toys.
The Museum’s hours are: Memorial Day to Labor Day, Mon. through Sat., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun., 12 - 5 p.m. September to December 31, Wed. through Sat., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun., 12 - 5 p.m. January and February, open weekends only. March 1 to Memorial Day, Wednesday through Sat., 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun., 12 - 5 p.m. Additional hours may be arranged for groups by reservation only. Adults, $5; Seniors, $4; Children age 4-14, $3; children three and under are admitted free. Guided tours include one ride on the fully restored carousel in the center of the museum’s gallery with the opportunity to purchase additional ride tokens.
