Hours of Operation

April 1 - June 11:

Wednesday - Sunday
Noon - 4:00 pm

June 14 - September 4:

Monday - Saturday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday
Noon - 4:00 pm

September 6 - December 30:

Wednesday - Sunday
Noon - 4:00 pm

 

 

 

 

 

Herschell Carousel Factory MuseUm

CAROUSELS AND RIDES MADE HERE

Over 3,000 hand-carved wooden carousels were made in this factory. Portable carousels were set up at carnivals around the country and stationary units were the main attraction at many early 1900s resorts.
Many other rides were also made here that entertained adults and kids in the parks that were forerunners of the amusement parks and thrill rides of today.

THE ALLAN HERSCHELL COMPANY

Allan Herschell, a Scottish immigrant, built machinery and boilers until he saw a carousel on a trip to New York City. He began building carousels and by 1915 when he bought this factory he was the most productive builder of carousels in America. The factory employed up to 75 skilled carvers and had a roundhouse where carousels were assembled and tested.

HERSCHELL HORSES

Simple yet elegant, the horses were designed to travel, being sturdy, easily maintained, and durable. The original carousels were a thrill ride for adults only.

MENAGERIE

Not only horses but a menagerie of creatures graced the carousels, including giraffes, kangaroos, and this hop-toad.

KIDDIELAND

The factory expanded its line into carousels for kids, and began to produce many other types of carnival rides.

THRILL RIDES

The factory introduced adult thrill rides such as the Twister, the Hurricane, and the Skywheel, a 90' tall Ferris wheel.

ALUMINUM AND STEEL

Under the ownership of John Wendler in the 1930s wooden horses were replaced with aluminum, and steel bodied cars were made for whirling rides and bumper cars.

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The Herschell Carousel Factory Museum occupies the original Allan Herschell Company factory complex at 180 Thompson Street in North Tonawanda, New York.

The building, which is listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Sites, is a series of seven interconnected structures which once housed all of the manufacturing components of the factory. The Allan Herschell Company shipped its first ride from this factory complex in 1916.

The Museum: Opened to the public in July of 1983, at first operating the 1916 Allan Herschell carousel in the original roundhouse. Since 1988 the entire first floor has been open with exhibits and demonstrations that interpret the operation of the factory.

Today, the Museum hosts approximately 15,000 visitors per year and offers a variety of programming.

Herschell Carousel Factory Musuem
180 Thompson Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Phone: (716) 693-1885
Website: Click Here