Flying Horse Carousel facts for kids
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Flying Horse Carousel
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Carousel shelter building in 2008, during off-season, with horses in storage
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Watch Hill, RI |
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| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Charles W.F. Dare Co. |
| Part of | Watch Hill Historic District (ID85001948) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000019 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1980 |
| Designated NHL | February 27, 1987 |
| Designated CP | September 5, 1985 |
The Flying Horse Carousel is a super old and special carousel in Watch Hill. This is a popular summer spot in Rhode Island, United States. It's one of only two carousels in Rhode Island that are called a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a really important historical place! It's also the oldest carousel in the whole country where the horses hang from chains.
What Makes This Carousel Special?
This carousel was likely built around 1876. It was made by the Charles W. Dare Company in New York. It has twenty horses of two different sizes. These horses hang from chains that spread out from the center.
The horses are very unique. Their bodies were probably carved from single blocks of wood. Their legs were carved separately and then attached. The horses still have their original shiny agate eyes. Other parts, like their manes and reins, have been replaced over time.
When the carousel spins, the horses swing outwards. This happens because of something called centrifugal force. This outward swing makes them look like they are flying! That's how it got its name, "flying horses."
The carousel is inside a wooden building. This building is at the end of Bay Street in Watch Hill. It has ten sides and a sloped roof. It seems to have been built in the early 1900s. There's a low fence around it. This fence keeps people safe from the horses as they swing out. The floor inside is now concrete, but it used to be sand.
Kids younger than 12 years old can ride this carousel. During the ride, a special device lowers metal rings. Riders try to grab these rings as they pass by. The very last ring is made of brass. If you grab the brass ring, you win a free ride! A ride on the outer horses costs $1.00. A ride on the inner horses costs $.50.
A Look Back: Carousel History
This carousel was once part of a traveling carnival. In 1879, the carnival had to leave it behind in Watch Hill. Back then, a real horse powered the carousel. Music was played by a hand-cranked organ.
In 1897, water power was used to run it. Then, around 1914, it became electric. A huge storm called the New England Hurricane of 1938 hit Watch Hill hard. The carousel was badly damaged. But its horses were found in the sand dunes! The carousel was fixed and started running again. Three chariots were lost in the storm and were never replaced.
The carousel and its building have been repaired many times since then. A group called the Watch Hill Improvement Society takes care of it.
The carousel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was then named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. This means it's a very important part of American history. You can ride it every year from June until Labor Day.
