The Merry-Go-Round Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the art and craft of carousel construction. Our visitors are always amazed at the level of proficiency exhibited in the building, carving and painting of original carousel animals, shields, rounding boards and chariots. Many of the carvers who created the beautiful animals we ride and enjoy were master craftsmen and created exemplary works of art. European immigrants like Daniel and Alfred Muller, John Zalar, Charles Carmel and Salvatore Cernigliaro used their extensive woodcarving abilities to find gainful employment in the United States by carving carousel animals for the factories that were striving to meet the demands of the industry. It seems doubtful that any for these men considered the possibility that their creations would be as respected and admired as they are today.
The Merry-Go-Round Museum maintains an active program of restoring antique carousel figures and related items, using tools similar to those used by master carousel carvers of the golden age.
Staff from MGRM work closely with volunteers to carry out the carving and restoration program. Carvers are often available on the museum's exhibit floor to demonstrate carving techniques, give explanations about the construction of carousel figures and discuss the art of the carousel.
Although there are many original wooden carousels still operating in the United States, the vast majority of the nearly 7,000 wooden carousels created around the turn of the century have been destroyed or lost.
