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Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
The Carrousel Museum
The factory as it was in the early part of the century.
We are located at 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
Our phone is 716-693-1885.
Our email is info@carrouselmuseum.org

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is located in 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: was opened to the public in July of 1983 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.
The Carrousel Factory Museum as it stands today. Today, the Museum hosts approximately 15,000 visitors per year and offers a variety of programming. We have a paid staff of four, a dedicated active Board of Trustees, and many loyal volunteers who serve as carousel operators, gift shop clerks, admissions greeters
and maintenance personnel, contributing greatly to our mission.

Programs include: Woodcarving classes at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, classes for young people, numerous family events, and guided tours for groups of all ages. The museum exhibits the history and growth of the Herschell Companies, demonstrates carving, horse restoration and band organ roll production, and operates two antique carousels.

Our family entertainment days during the summer have celebrated the birth of Milton Hershey who was born the same year as Allan Herschell and Hawaii Day which became the 50th state the same year the company moved to Wichita, Kansas.

Special programs for young people include a Youth Volunteer Program which encourages youngsters ages 12 to 18 to experience the positive aspects of volunteering, and a Neighborhood Partners Program for local elementary school children which provides special free visits to the museum.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum has become a focal center of cultural and recreational opportunities for local citizens as well as tourists visiting the Tonawandas.

Adjacent to the site of the Museum, the City of North Tonawanda has developed a linear walking/bike trail along a two-block section of the former New York Central Railroad right-of- way. In addition to walking and biking, there is space for public events such as craft shows, band organ rallies and outdoor public performances.

This landscaped "Heritage Trail" connects the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum with the Railroad Museum site on Oliver Street. The trail continues, by means of signage, to the Riviera Theatre in downtown North Tonawanda and to the banks of the Erie Canal.


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