Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

2011

New events are added frequently, so check back often!

SEPTEMBER

Friday, September 2

School Break Series: Back to School!

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Included with paid admission

Don’t let the end of summer get you down! Classes don’t start until Monday, so there’s still time for a fun afternoon at the Carrousel Museum. Join us for a variety of back-to-school themed crafts and activities that will make you excited about learning.

Wednesday, September 7

Museum Fall Hours Begin

12:00pm – 4:00pm, Wednesdays – Sundays; Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

$5 per adult, $4 per senior, $2.50 per child

Fall hours begin; visit the museum Wednesday – Sunday afternoons to learn about carrousels, amusement parks, and local history.

Sunday, September 11

Grandparents’ Day Celebration

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Included with paid admission; free to grandparents

Share a trip down memory lane with your grandparents at the Carrousel Museum. Enjoy the exhibits, a ride on the carrousel, and make a special gift for grandma or grandpa. At 2:00pm, join us for a concert of historic folk music with Nan Hoffman.

Saturday, September 24

Smithsonian Museum Day

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Free with Museum Day Admission Card (Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download your card. Each card provides free museum access for two people; limit one card per household)

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is a proud participant in the seventh annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Museum Day helps make museums more accessible to visitors across the country. In 2010, more than 1,500 museums and cultural institutions participated, serving approximately 500,000 visitors at no cost. If you’ve always wanted to check out the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, or come back for a repeat visit, this is the perfect time.

OCTOBER

Saturdays, October Dates to be Determined

Beginner Woodcarving Classes

9:00am – 12:00pm

Ages 12 and up; youth ages 12-17 must have signed parental consent form

$90 ($85 for Carrousel Society members)

Learn the historic craft that made our beautiful carrousels possible. Aimed at students who have no carving experience or are self-taught carvers who lack specialized technical training, this series of classes introduces tool safety, sharpening, material selection, and finishing. Participants will work on a different project each week, including carving in the round and relief carving. Classes are taught by Doug Bathke, who has been carving for 47 years and teaching for 36 years. Fee includes instruction, a tool kit to keep, and materials for projects; students bring a pencil to class.

Reservations and prepayment required by first class; call 716-693-1885 to register. Maximum enrollment: 12 students. (Classes are a series and cannot be taken individually. Fees are non-refundable after the first class).

Saturdays, October 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd

Intermediate/Advanced Woodcarving Classes

1:00pm – 4:00pm (Intermediate)

$85 ($80 for Carrousel Society members)

"Carrousels feature many delicate, intricate carvings. This class series covers more advanced carving skills, and is designed for those with significant prior carving experience (a minimum of three years). In this class participants will work on carving a leaf man face. (Students may alternatively work on a carving of their choice, but must supply pattern and wood). Classes are taught by Doug Bathke, who has been carving for 47 years and teaching for 36 years. Fee includes instruction, pattern, and wood for leaf man project. Students must have their own tools, including gouges for relief carving, a carving arm, a carving screw, two 6-inch (or larger) C-clamps, and a pencil. Note: a pattern for a carving arm will be provided upon registration."

Reservations and prepayment required by first class; call 716-693-1885 to register. Maximum enrollment: 10 students. (Classes are a series and cannot be taken individually. Fees are non-refundable after the first class).

Saturday, October 8

Carrousel Chess Classic

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Open to students in grades K–12
$5 entry fee (includes admission to the museum)

As part of National Chess Day the Carrousel Museum is proud to host the 1st Annual Carrousel Chess Classic. A United States Chess Federation approved event, the tournament is open to any chess player in grades K–12, as long as they have sufficient playing ability to recognize check and checkmate. (USCF members will earn points towards national ranking for this tournament). The tournament will feature three rounds of chess at 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm; a unique all-girls competition; and an awards ceremony with trophies to recognize top competitors in the various categories. Spectators accompanying a tournament participant receive reduced admission to the event and the museum for only $3. Check in begins at 11:30am the day of the tournament. Registration and pre-payment required. To register, email Michael McDuffie, U.S. Chess Federation Tournament Director, at arcangel8chess@yahoo.com. Registration ends Saturday, October 1st. Co-sponsored by the Archangel 8 Chess Academy.

Monday, October 10

School Break Series: Fall Fair!

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Included with paid admission

You don’t have to go far for some fall fun! Come by the Carrousel Museum for some old-time fair activities. Try your hand at popular midway games, and make some fair-themed crafts to take home.

Thursday, October 13

Carrousel Chat

“Kiddie Thrills: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Boats to the Hogwarts’ Express”

Speaker: Judith Adams-Volpe, Professor Emeritus, University of Buffalo

12:00-1:00pm

Free

In the 1930s and 40s, the Allan Herschell Company introduced a new concept in public entertainment: Kiddielands. While many of the Herschell-inspired parks have closed, children’s rides remain big business even today. Join us as Professor Emeritus Judith Adams-Volpe looks at how kiddie rides and parks have evolved over the years. Learn about how transformations in forms, styles, and technology are influenced by demographics and social and cultural trends—including popular culture, as evidenced in new movie-inspired Harry Potter rides at Universal Studios.

Friday, October 21

Halloween Spooktacular

5:30 – 8:00pm

$8 per child, $2 per adult

Our Halloween Spooktacular is so much fun it’s…not scary! This family-friendly event is appropriate for even the youngest ghosts and goblins. Join us for Halloween games, crafts, and treats to celebrate the holiday in a safe, fun environment. The highlight of the event is a special magic show by Rob and Carol Allen at 6:30pm—don’t miss it!

NOVEMBER

Friday, November 25

Holiday Kick-Off Celebration

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Included with paid admission

Join us as we kick off the holiday season with a fun-filled weekend. Learn about the holiday traditions of Western New Yorkers from different eras and cultures; make an ornament to help trim our tree and yours; and enjoy decorations throughout the museum that make this a festive time to tour.

Saturday, November 26

Santa on the Carrousel

11:00am lunch; 12:00pm – 3:00pm activities

$8 per person with lunch; $5 per person for activities only

We couldn’t find any reindeer, but it turns out Santa is an excellent equestrian as well! Come join Old St. Nick on the carrousel; just make sure you’re on the “nice” list. Start the day off with lunch at 11:00am, where you can visit with Santa and make sure he got your letters. Then there will be lots of fun, festive crafts and games, hot chocolate and treats, and plenty of opportunity to ride the carrousel. A highlight of the afternoon is holiday storytelling at 1:00pm by Tiger Tom Walsh. Reservations and prepayment required for lunch; call 716-693-1885 to register. Lunch price includes all activities.

Sunday, November 27

Holiday Kick-Off Celebration

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Included with paid admission

DECEMBER

Saturday, December 3

Santa on the Carrousel

11:00am lunch; 12:00pm – 3:00pm activities

$8 per person with lunch; $5 per person for activities only

We couldn’t find any reindeer, but it turns out Santa is an excellent equestrian as well! Come join Old St. Nick on the carrousel; just make sure you’re on the “nice” list. Start the day off with lunch at 11:00am, where you can visit with Santa and make sure he got your letters. Then there will be lots of fun, festive crafts and games, hot chocolate and treats, and plenty of opportunity to ride the carrousel. A highlight of the afternoon is holiday concert at 1:00pm by Matt James’ Cool Music for Kids. Reservations and prepayment required for lunch; call 716-693-1885 to register. Lunch price includes all activities.

Saturday, December 10

Santa on the Carrousel

11:00am lunch; 12:00pm – 3:00pm activities

$8 per person with lunch; $5 per person for activities only

We couldn’t find any reindeer, but it turns out Santa is an excellent equestrian as well! Come join Old St. Nick on the carrousel; just make sure you’re on the “nice” list. Start the day off with lunch at 11:00am, where you can visit with Santa and make sure he got your letters. Then there will be lots of fun, festive crafts and games, hot chocolate and treats, and plenty of opportunity to ride the carrousel. A highlight of the afternoon is holiday concert at 1:00pm by Glenn Colton. Reservations and prepayment required for lunch; call 716-693-1885 to register. Lunch price includes all activities.

Saturday, December 17

Santa on the Carrousel

11:00am lunch; 12:00pm – 3:00pm activities

$8 per person with lunch; $5 per person for activities only

We couldn’t find any reindeer, but it turns out Santa is an excellent equestrian as well! Come join Old St. Nick on the carrousel; just make sure you’re on the “nice” list. Start the day off with lunch at 11:00am, where you can visit with Santa and make sure he got your letters. Then there will be lots of fun, festive crafts and games, hot chocolate and treats, and plenty of opportunity to ride the carrousel. A highlight of the afternoon is holiday storytelling at 1:00pm by Lorna Czarnota. Reservations and prepayment required for lunch; call 716-693-1885 to register. Lunch price includes all activities.

Monday–Friday, December 19–30

School Break Series: Winter Wonderland

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Included with paid admission

Celebrate the holidays with a trip to the Carrousel Museum! We’re open extra days so you can enjoy one last ride for the year. Each day also features a special winter or holiday craft for children. And don’t forget to visit the Museum Store for those important last minute gifts!

Saturday, December 31

Museum Closed for Winter—See you in the spring!

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is closed Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

Please contact the museum for more details on these and other fun activities at 716-693-1885 or email info@carrouselmuseum.org.