Sherry's Place

Recently we took our RV travel trailer on a trip to Sandusky, Ohio and Lake Erie. One gem of a tourist attraction in Sandusky is the Merry-Go-Round Museum, located in the center of town. Housed in a beautiful old Post Office building, the museum provides a delightful journey back to the years 1870 to 1930 when carousels were in their heyday at amusement parks around the world.

When you enter the museum you are immediately immersed into the bewildering variety of animal characters utilized on carousels of days gone by. Goats, lions, ostriches, elephants, and even whimsical dragons are there on display along with the horses most often associated with carousels.  Coney Island style, Philadelphia style, and County Fair styles of animals are displayed. Panels from old carousels are placed around the museum along with photographs of old carousels and workshops showing craftsmen hand carving the animals.

County Fair style animals were of simple design; most often the legs outstretched enabling easy packing when the ride was prepared for transport to the next stop on the fair tour. Philadelphia style captured the majesty of horses. Many Philadelphia style horses were clad in armor or had saddles draped with fabric and fancy tassels. The Coney Island styles are the most flamboyant of the carousel animals.

Coney Island of course was the premier amusement park in the country.  Of note are the additions of smaller characters added to the animals by the carvers. One bison has a small dog resting behind the saddle, and a beautiful goat has an eagle head on the back of the saddle.

The centerpiece of the museum of course is a full sized functional carousel originally built in 1939 by the Allan Herschell Company. The museum has mounted a variety of animals from their collection, as the carousel had no animals when purchased.  The price of admission to the museum includes tokens for a ride on this carousel. Take advantage of this opportunity. The classic carousel music will delight you, and this carousel moves at an exciting speed.