Bushnell Park Carousel

This Thing Has Been Around
Bushnell Park Carousel, Hartford

May 11, 2008

bcl.jpgThe Bushnell Park Carousel is one of those things that everyone from these parts knows about but probably has not really actually experienced. Oh sure, everyone knows where it is and has walked by it – but it’s just not something I would ever have done if not for my website. And to think it only costs a dollar!

Mother’s Day is one of those days when it seems families should do some family things. To show our appreciation for mom, Damian and I took Hoang to the carousel. Mind you, this isn’t just any ol’ carousel – there are only three Stein and Goldstein carousels left operating in this country… and this is one of them. Not only that, but the tails are REAL horse tails! See:

bcf.jpgbc1.jpg
CTMQ never lies

Fittingly, the Bushnell Park Carousel is situated in the handsome Bushnell Park in Hartford. Bushnell Park is not just a place for skeevy dudes to meet other skeevy dudes late at night for skeevy activities, it has quite a history of its own. It was the first municipal park in the nation to be conceived, built and paid for by citizens through a popular vote. The story behind this is interesting – interesting enough to warrant its own CTMQ report, found here. And since I’m linking things, it bears mentioning that the park was designed by Jacob Weidenmann, a close personal friend of Hartford native Central Park (home of a four row Stein and Goldstein carousel – the third is in Knoebel’s Groves Amusement Park in PA) designer Frederick Law Olmstead – whom we’ve discussed in various other places here on CTMQ.

bca.jpg

Weidenmann is important to us because, among (lots of) other things, he also designed Cedar Hill Cemetery (CTMQ Visit here) and the gardens at the Butler-McCook House (now museum). (CTMQ Visit here). In short, Bushnell Park is really pretty and nice to have in the center of downtown Hartford. (Of course, the State Capitol Building sits atop a hill here as well – CTMQ visit here).

So Damian, where is the carousel?

bck.jpgbcj.jpg
“Hmmm…” “Over there!”

Yes sir, it is. As I mentioned, it’s only a dollar to ride the historic ride – and Damian was totally jazzed up. This wasn’t his first carousel ride, as long time readers remember. One of Damian’s finest appearances occurred here, at America’s Oldest Amusement Park, Lake Compounce.

bci.jpg
We entered…

Paid our three dollars and picked the raddest chariot available. The Bushnell Park website describes the initial rush upon entering better than I ever could…“It’s a sweet surprise to find a vintage 1914 carousel standing in Bushnell Park. There, by the shadow of skyscrapers and a giant Turkey Oak, a 24-sided pavilion houses 48 hand-carved wooden horses and two lovers’ chariots that swirl around a booming Wurlitzer band organ commanding an optimism that contrasts with the city’s often-troubled image.”

bcg.jpgEh, what the heck. That was so good, I’ll reprint some more: “The Knox Foundation brought the carousel to Hartford from Canton, Ohio, in 1974. Jack Dollard, director of the Foundation at the time, and now an architect in the city, thought the horses would symbolize Hartford’s restoration.

Then Tracey Cameron, a Hartford resident, spent more than a year restoring the horses to reflect the same fury that Russian immigrants Solomon Stein and Harry Goldstein first carved into their faces in 1914. Mass production and changing tastes led to the demise of hand carving and now collectors, buying up single horses, have dismantled hundreds of carousels. As a result, this carousel is only one of three Stein and Goldstein carousels left in existence.

stein1.jpg
Almost scary

They, like many carousel craftsmen, started in Russia as carvers of women’s combs. They came to the United States in the late 1800s to carve carousel horses for Coney Island, which, at the height of the craze, had some two-dozen carousels operating. Stein and Goldstein horses are distinguished by their flamboyance, their big teeth, bulging eyes, by the huge and colorful cabbage roses which festoon their bodies and their real horse hair tails.

bcb.jpgEventually, they built a reputation as “artistic carousel manufacturers” and they built carousels when there were at least 3,000 in the United States, when riders on the outside row dipped their index fingers for brass rings and a ride was considered a dare because 15 mph was faster than anything. The invention of the roller coaster gave carousels a more romantic reputation–and fewer riders.”

Good stuff. The carousel is actually officially part of the New England Carousel Museum, which is over in Bristol. Instead of transcribing a bunch of the signage I jotted down or the brochures I took, I’ll crib some more from their website, on the history of carousels in the US:

bce.jpg“There is a permanent display inside of the enclosed pavilion that shelters the ride. Colorful panels providing interesting facts and information about the history of carousels in the U.S. are mounted on the walls for the pleasure of adults and children. Also featured every day are three-dimensional decorative pieces of carving styles to illustrate how different manufacturers created their own signature look and character. For example, the Bushnell Park Carousel horses, chariots and decorative trim are of the Coney Island style, with a magnificent and glitzy sort of design. In contrast, the Philadelphia-style carousel is very different with a much more realistic look. The horses of the Country Fair Style of design are usually smaller and less detailed than the others. Inside the pavilion, people can view examples of the different styles of trim pieces decorating the perimeter of the pavilion.”

bcd.jpgI found two facts above very interesting – that this thing has only been here for 33 years and that carousel carvers often started out as ladies comb carvers. In Russia. Who knew? As for the ride itself, it was… a carousel ride. The horsies went round and round and up and down and the organ boomed tinny music and the lights flashed all around. In a word; fun. In fact, at the end of the three and a half minutes, Damian signed for more!

Speaking of “more,” the New England Carousel Museum has developed the “Magnificent Carousels of Connecticut Trail.” With markers and maps to our state’s various carousels, one can spend an entire day seeking these things out. In addition to this one and the Compounce one, there are two other historic carousels – one at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven and the other at Sound View Beach in Old Lyme.

Oh, there are more – a privately owned one in Danbury and four resin reproductions as well (Quassy Amusement Park, Mystic Fun Center, Danbury Fair Mall and the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. There are newer cheesier ones elsewhere as well, but we’re purists here.

At the Bushnell, tours and bookings for parties are available if interested.

Okay, that’s enough.

bcc.jpg

For the Curious

Hours: May 1 – October, Tue-Sun 11-5.

YouTube video of the ride!
The Carousel Part 1
The Carousel Part 2
The New England Carousel Museum
A Brief history of the carousel
Bushnell Park history
Weird carousel Cuddle Tales of some sort

7 responses to “Bushnell Park Carousel”

  1. Jim Dungate says:

    I noticed you mention there are only three Stein and Goldstein working carousels in the U.S.. Does this include the newly restored (May,2009) Nunley’s Carousel housed at Museum Row in Garden City, New York? The restoration was done by a company in Ohio, and in my opinion, is above and beyond first class. My father would take my siblings and me to Nunley’s when it was located in Baldwin,Long Island back in the 50′s. It is a jewel in Long Island’s crown. I am a retired art teacher and so far, I have completed four paintings of the carousel horses. Nice memories.
    Sincerely,
    Jim Dungate

    P.S. I would send you pictures of my paintings, however, I need to have one of my children help me.Computers are new to me.

  2. Sherry says:

    Another place in Connecticut where a beautiful old carousel has been restored and in use is at Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. I had one of my son’s birthday parties there. I love the old wooden handcarved animals. I think it some of the parts are from Pleasant Beach. Sherry

  3. Steve says:

    Sherry’s right. Here’s our sorta visit. There’s actually a “Carousel Trail” that I have info on somewhere. I’ll add it to “Other Trails” at some point.

  4. Brian D Nadler says:

    Just like Jim Dungate I have positive experience with Bushnell Park’s sibling Stein and Goldstein Carousel at Nunley’s Carousel Pavilion at the Cradle of Aviation Musium in Garden City. I hope that both carousels live a long life. I understand that the Nunley’s Carousel is a bit older than the Bushnell Park Carousel by 3 years.

    Does anybody know if the Bushnell Carousel uses a Wurlitzer model 153 band ordgan like its sibbling in Garden City?

  5. Melanie says:

    Where can I see/acquire a copy of the “Magnificent Carousels of Connecticut Trail” map? Thanks!

  6. I heart Hartford. Yes. Hartford. | Dating Jesus says:

    [...] with pizza and cupcakes, played soccer, juggled babies, and chatted. It was too late to ride the carousel (it closes at 5) but we enjoyed the vibe of a really pretty park in a city that is lousy with [...]

  7. So we went to Bushnell Park for a picnic last night | Dating Jesus says:

    [...] spread out blankets, ate, played soccer, juggled babies, and chatted. It was too late to ride the carousel (it closes at 5) but we could enjoy the vibe of a really pretty park in a city that is lousy with [...]

Leave a Comment

The Out Campaign: Scarlet Letter of Atheism