We got to visit two carousels that are being restored. It was very interesting and looks like it would be a fun thing to be involved in if I didn't live thousands of miles away.
The first one is already functional and they are just restoring and adding new animals. It takes about a year to carve an animal and another year to paint it. They supplement their supply money by making miniature animals and selling them as "rocking horses" On the left you can see the rough form of the lama that they are working on, you can also see the 1/4 size horse and 1/4 size deer they are making to sell. 
After it is carved an animal is given several coats of white paint, like this giraffe is. Then it is ready for some color and eventually a sealant to protect it from the people getting on and off. 
We celebrated our newfound knowledge by going on a carousel ride.
We also stopped at a carousel that they are restoring that is not yet functioning. They have been working on the animals and mechanism for the last 3 years and they say that it will take another 4 years before it is up and running. The animals that they were carving were phenomenal.
The molding is bright colors and features pictures of the town where the carousel is. The Giraffe is named Hope, There was also a bison,
a fox, a griffin, many horses, two bears, two dragons,
a frog, a seahorse, and designs for many more.
I'm excited to go and visit again when the whole thing is up and running.
That looks like lots of fun. Where is it exactly?
ReplyDeleteThe larger one is in Albany. Their website has a whole list of all the animals they have made http://albanycarousel.com/.
DeleteI like the dragon! With a year to paint them, these could have really intricate designs.
ReplyDeleteYeah they look really good!
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