Facts and information about the Historic Carousel and the Carousel Pavilion

There was a time in our history when more than 10,000 carousels graced communities across the United States. In their heyday, these beautiful rides were constructed for children of all ages to enjoy, generation after generation. Sadly, fewer than 150 of these original, antique wooden carousels are still in existence, many lost to fire, misuse and neglect.

Woodland Park Zoo is reviving the tradition by bringing a magnificent, hand-carved carousel originally built for the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company to the zoo. The carousel’s location on our North Meadow was chosen to take advantage of the meadow’s character as an active space that currently accommodates large-scale community events, concerts, family and corporate gatherings and other activities. It is anticipated that the carousel will draw an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 riders per year.

To better protect and preserve the carousel and its riders, and to provide additional space for community gatherings, social events and educational displays related to the history of the carousel, the Seattle architectural firm Makers Architecture has created a design inspired by classic carousel houses of the 1910s and 1920s for the carousel pavilion. The building, an 80-foot diameter octagon, will comfortably house the 48-horse carousel while providing the zoo with a year-round facility versatile enough to offer special event spaces for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, weddings and other celebrations. See the computer rendering below for the pavilion's placement on the North Meadow.

To view a map showing the placement of the Carousel Pavilion in the North Meadow, click here.

The 50-foot-diameter Historic Carousel will be housed in a pavilion inspired by classic carousel houses of the 1910s and 1920s. The all-weather structure, with a footprint of approximately 5,600 square feet, will be located in the northwest corner of the North Meadow. The building is designed to allow it to be opened during good weather and includes two birthday party rooms.

The Historic Carousel will offer families with children an additional option for fun, active play on zoo grounds, and rider fees as well as birthday party rentals will provide a new source of revenue to support zoo operations and programs.

The Historic Carousel will be visible from the West Plaza and North Meadow, but hidden from view from natural habitat areas. It will be well screened from outside zoo grounds. The Historic Carousel does not have a traditional “band-organ” for music; instead there will be a state-of-the-art electronic sound system that has been designed by a sound system expert. The system incorporates numerous small, directional speakers to provide the desired coverage while preventing “sound bleed” beyond the immediate area of the Carousel.

Funds are still needed to help build the pavilion. Please consider donating and being part of the future of this unique and beautiful community treasure. Donations are tax deductible (consult your tax attorney or accountant for more information).

For more information contact Kyle Halmrast at 206.615.0497 or email kyle.halmrast@zoo.org

Woodland Park Zoo is a registered 501(c)(3) non profit.

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