A few weeks ago after our trip to Seneca Caverns we drove up north to the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky. It’s in an old beautiful huge round post office. A full-size merry-go-round sits in the middle of the museum and different displays line the perimeter. There were old photos of and signs from local amusement parks like Idlewild and Kennywood, a spot where you can watch wood carvers at work on carousel animals, lots of unique carousel animals like two griffins fighting, and stations where kids can make crayon rubbings. We were there on a Sunday afternoon and it cost the five of us $24, which included a ride on the carousel (extra rides are $1 each). However, the one volunteer working (he worked the whole museum) let us take two more rides for free. He showed us which of the animals were actually carved at the museum, so it felt special to ride those. What was a bummer was that no tours are offered on Sundays, and no wood carvers are there either. You have to catch those on the weekedays. I did learn some things from reading the signs, but it’s not the same as hearing it on a tour. One thing that bothered me was the air of melancholy with all the photos from the heydays of amusement parks. I thought they should add current photos of carousels in use today. Sure, they’re at zoos and malls, but the magic of carousels still lives on.
Tags: Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky
I’m glad that guy was so sweet to you and your wonderful family. Many people don’t do that anymore.
Looks creepy to me. Merry go rounds are creepy anyway. Ever look at the eyes on some of those horses??Sweet Dreams!!!!