The Merry-Go-Round Museum is located a hop, stampede and a jump from Detroit, in Sandusky, Ohio. Housed in a former U.S. Postal Office, the is a one-of-a-kind adventure into PonyLand! This space showcases carousels and all things associated with these machines.
But wait- There's More! Click 'Read More' to get the full scoop... ↓↓↓
But wait- There's More! Click 'Read More' to get the full scoop... ↓↓↓
Vickie was the guide for our mid-morning tour. She tells the stories behind the horse displays, and there are a ton of tales associated with these works of art. A menagerie of animals are exhibited around the museum from different eras. A pipe organ plays "The Happiest Music on Earth" from behind a glass enclosure.
Admission into the museum includes a spin on the carousel, which reaches speeds up to nine miles an hour. Most carousels that are in operation today only travel up to three. Organ music blasts through the air, and the curators choose themed music that coordinates with the season to celebrate certain holidays. For example, around Halloween you may hear "Ghosbusters" or "Purple People Eater" playing! When we were there, we rode the carousel to the tune made famous on The Wizard of Oz- "Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead."
The largest animals are placed on the outer edge of the carousel. Some weight up to 300 pounds. Some animals have saddles, the zebras are without. It is interesting to note that ostriches are usually placed on the carousel in pairs and the frog is the only one that typically is dressed in "human" attire!
There are a ton of wondrous sights to see, including rare animals, rubbing plates for the kids to color as a souvenir and a working studio where artisans carve the wooden animals.
Take a walk around the museum and you will soon stumble upon the workshop. It is in this area that horses are created by volunteers, and takes up to 400 hours to carve one animal. The museum produces two animals every year, some tails are made using real horse hair. It was so cool to see the tools used in the creation of the rides. Each piece is a piece of art which honors the age-old tradition of creating work by hand.
As the weather begins to warm up- but remains kinda stuck in chilly temperatures, the spring is an awesome time to kick off the road trip season by taking a ride to check out this museum or a great place to take the kids for a visit on a rainy day.
Admission into the museum includes a spin on the carousel, which reaches speeds up to nine miles an hour. Most carousels that are in operation today only travel up to three. Organ music blasts through the air, and the curators choose themed music that coordinates with the season to celebrate certain holidays. For example, around Halloween you may hear "Ghosbusters" or "Purple People Eater" playing! When we were there, we rode the carousel to the tune made famous on The Wizard of Oz- "Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead."
The largest animals are placed on the outer edge of the carousel. Some weight up to 300 pounds. Some animals have saddles, the zebras are without. It is interesting to note that ostriches are usually placed on the carousel in pairs and the frog is the only one that typically is dressed in "human" attire!
There are a ton of wondrous sights to see, including rare animals, rubbing plates for the kids to color as a souvenir and a working studio where artisans carve the wooden animals.
Take a walk around the museum and you will soon stumble upon the workshop. It is in this area that horses are created by volunteers, and takes up to 400 hours to carve one animal. The museum produces two animals every year, some tails are made using real horse hair. It was so cool to see the tools used in the creation of the rides. Each piece is a piece of art which honors the age-old tradition of creating work by hand.
As the weather begins to warm up- but remains kinda stuck in chilly temperatures, the spring is an awesome time to kick off the road trip season by taking a ride to check out this museum or a great place to take the kids for a visit on a rainy day.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum
301 Jackson Street
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
419.626.6111
301 Jackson Street
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
419.626.6111
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