All across the country we have seen (and I have ridden) many carousels that were built in nearby North Tonawanda at the Herschell factory.  The factory is a museum now and they still run one of the vintage carousels.  Of course we have to visit.

Fun tidbit: Herschell was the only manufacturer to include a frog in their stable of carousel figures.  He is very cute.

The tour starts with the woodworking shop where simple slabs of poplar and basswood are planed, fitted and glued to create solid, sturdy blocks that are then transformed to magnificent carousel creatures. In the early 1900’s, this room was filled with apprentices, journeymen and master carvers each doing their part to bring out the intricate shapes and patterns.  Parts are strewn about, legs, heads, tails, and bodies.  It is the master carver’s task to assemble and put on the finishing touches….then it’s on to the paint room.  Coat after coat of primer is followed by hand painted coat then tack bringing the individual horses to “life”.  It all comes together in the roundhouse where platforms, cranks, motors and gears along with the splendid steeds are combined to create a magical carousel.

One of the very earliest machines built in this factory now runs in that roundhouse. I rode it of course…Kent did too this time!

Bonus: the museum has an operating music reel punching machine. That’s the punched paper strip that makes the carousel organ play.  This machine uses a hand made master as a template and punches out working copies for distribution to player organs and pianos.  As the strip passes over vacuum ports of the sound pipes, punched holes allow air flow and result in sound. Impressive and ingenious.

There are organs in various states of restoration all around the shop. The one accompanying the operating carousel is nearly complete; they haven’t rebuilt the bass drum and cymbal modules yet.  I love to watch them play, especially the ones with bells and mallets.