Pullen Park Carousel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pullen Park Carousel
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pullen Park, Western Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1912 |
| Built by | Dentzel, G.A.; Cernigliaro, Salvatore |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001344 |
| Added to NRHP | September 8, 1976 |
The Pullen Park Carousel is a beautiful, old wooden carousel located in Pullen Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was built in 1900 and is a true piece of art! This special carousel has 52 animals that were carved by hand from a type of wood called basswood. It also features two chariots (which are like fancy sleighs), 18 large shiny mirrors, and colorful canvas panels.
One of the coolest things about the carousel is its music. It plays tunes from a special musical instrument called a Wurlitzer #125 band organ. This organ was made in 1924 by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. The carousel was carefully restored between 1977 and 1982. During this time, experts worked to find and save the original paint colors on each animal. They used a special system to match the exact colors, making sure the animals look just like they did when they were first painted. Because of its history and beauty, the Pullen Park Carousel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States. It's also a special Raleigh Historic Landmark.
Discover the Carousel's Journey
The story of Pullen Park began in 1887. That's when Richard Stanhope Pullen gave 80 acres of land to the city of Raleigh. He wanted it to be a public park for everyone to enjoy. The carousel didn't start its life at Pullen Park, though! It was first located at a place called Bloomsbury Park.
In 1921, the city decided to move the carousel to Pullen Park. They replaced an older, steam-powered merry-go-round that was already there. Bloomsbury Park was having money problems, so Pullen Park was able to buy the carousel for a very low price. It cost only $1,425, which was just a tenth of what it originally cost! Once it arrived, the carousel quickly became a main attraction at Pullen Park. Today, it's known as one of the best examples of carousels made by the Pennsylvania Carousel Company.
Meet the Carousel Maker: Gustav Dentzel
The Pennsylvania Carousel Company was founded by a man named Gustav Dentzel. He moved from Germany in 1860 and opened a shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started out making cabinets. But then he built a merry-go-round, and people loved it! Because of this, Dentzel decided to start building carousels full-time in 1876.
From that time until his factory closed in 1928, Dentzel's company was one of the best carousel makers in the United States. The Pullen Park Carousel is very special because it's one of only 23 historic Dentzel carousels that are still working in North America today.
Amazing Hand-Carved Animals
The most exciting part of the Pullen Park Carousel is its collection of 52 hand-carved wooden animals. These animals were created by a talented artist named Salvatore Cernigliaro. He was famous for making detailed and imaginative designs.
You can find all sorts of animals on the carousel! There are horses, ostriches, cats, rabbits, pigs, a lion, a tiger, a reindeer, and even a goat. The carousel itself is housed inside a special building with a tent-like roof and wooden beams. The original music for the carousel was played by the Wurlitzer band organ. Since it came to Pullen Park, the carousel has been used almost all the time. Some parts have been replaced over the years because of wear and tear, but the ride is still mostly original and just as fun!
