​This post is part of our Remember When Volunteers Series. Museum volunteers share stories of the Museum and amusement parks. This week’s volunteer is Logan Benjamin. Logan has been volunteering with the museum since November 2014. Logan is an avid Amusement Park fan. He has operated carousels, amusement rides and has developed social media content for the museum. He operates Brass Ring Web Solutions, which can be found at https://www.brassringwny.com/ 

​Why did you begin volunteering?
I first volunteered for part of volunteer hours for school. I returned in 2016 to operate the carousels with a passion for the museum and the history of the amusement industry. In 2018, I expanded into becoming a social media partner for the museum. I develop amusement related content for the museum that is posted to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I use the experience from my company, Brass Ring Web Solutions, to help out the museum in any way I can.
Favorite Carrousel Museum Experience
As a guest, my first visit ever was probably the most exciting. When I went on the carousel, I found out that it had a Spinning Cup/ Lover’s Tub. Can you guess where I sat?
As a volunteer, every time I volunteer is a great experience!
Favorite Exhibit in the Museum
My favorite exhibit(s) happen to be our 1916 Number One Special Carrousel, with its remarkable historic Value to Western New York, and the always bright, vibrant, and FUN Kiddieland Testing Park.
What’s your favorite fun facts about carousels?
My favorite fun facts about the carrousels are the transitional periods between the use of wooden, metallic, and fiberglass materials for horses.
Why should people come to the museum?
People should come to the museum to learn about the importance of how Allan Herschell was a pioneer of the amusement industry. The innovations and concepts that we see today would not be able to exist without the contributions of Allan Herschell.
What is a favorite memory of an amusement park or carousel?
While there are too many to count, there was a particular day at Fantasy Island that was nothing short of wet and dreary, but epically fun. My family and I may have been the only guests in the park and became drenched in the heaviest rain I’ve ever experienced. Nevertheless, I managed to marathon the Silver Comet (wooden rollercoaster) and the rare Over the Falls thrill ride. It was pure insanity!

​This post is part of our Remember When Volunteers Series. Museum volunteers share stories of the Museum and amusement. This week’s volunteer is Brant. Brant is a local High school student who enjoys band organs, clocks and Disney World. He has been volunteering with the museum since August 2019.

​Why did you begin volunteering?
Since I visited Disney World I have loved amusement music. I visited the museum with my family nad enjoyed the band organs. I began volunteering to learn how to clean, fix, and play the museums’ musical collection.
Favorite Carrousel Museum Experience
My favorite museum experience is replacing the rolls on the Wurlitzer 146-b Organ with fellow volunteer Doug. I also enjoy the playing the museum’s 1922 Wurlitzer Home Player Piano.
Favorite Exhibit in the Museum
I enjoy all of the musical equipment at the carousel museum. My favorite is the Artizan-D Band Organ. It uses an I-pad to play a midi system. This allows the organ to play hundreds of songs!
Favorite fun fact about amusement
My favorite fun fact is that the museum has four band organs and one player piano that works!
Why should people come to the museum?
To be able to hear the band organs!
What is a favorite memory of an amusement park or carousel?
My favorite memory is going to Walt Disney World with my family.

​This post is part of our Remember When Volunteers Series. Museum volunteers share stories of the Museum and amusement. This week’s volunteer is Druscilla “Dru” Lis. Dru enjoys carousels, geocaching and being a Grammy to Grandson Kellan. She began volunteering with the museum September 2019.

​Why did you begin volunteering?
Long story! Although I grew up in North Tonawanda, I have moved away and come back several times over the decades. I certainly have fond memories of this place at different stages of my life. Wonderful memories of my mother telling me about the kids in her day and age watching the carvers at the corner window of the other facility that was down on Oliver Street.  I knew once I was back in NT as my forever home, the first place I wanted to volunteer was at the Carrousel! I was very fortunate to be able to start in 2019 and really help with the STEM program!  What wonderful groups of fourth graders were able to come through during those months of winter!!!  Hey did you know it is cold in the carving room in January? LOL!
Favorite Carrousel Museum Experience
Well for me personally, my favorite experience here was being able to rent the Carrousel and share it with over 80 of my fellow geocachers of Western New York! We had the best time riding around the carrousels as a leap year event on February 29th, 2020!!  If you do not know what a geocacher is, just ask me and I will be happy to explain it to you!
Favorite Exhibit in the Museum
Besides enjoying every one of the different pieces in the museum, I always point out the Native American pony when I am talking with a group of visitors. I believe it to be a very clever adaptation of a non-typical carrousel horse.
Favorite fun fact about amusement
My personal fun fact is that I was able to ride on the roller coaster in Kiddieland that we have a portion of in the hallway. I like to tell visitors that the little girl in the back of the picture on the wall is me! Fun fact...but probably not true, LOL!
Why should people come to the museum?
People should be excited about coming to this museum in order to keep this piece of history alive. We are so fortunate to have this original structure still standing with so much important memorabilia included within its walls. The fact that so many lumber mills were set up in North Tonawanda added to the reason to be making wooden carrousel animals here! Historical preservation is so important for future generations and this is a fun example of that.
What is a favorite memory of an amusement park or carousel?
My favorite memory is actually five amusement parks rolled into one.  I have been very fortunate to have ridden on an Allen Herschell Carrousel not only in North Tonawanda, but also in Raleigh, North Carolina; North Pole, Colorado; Spokane, Washington and San Diego, California!

The Carrousel Courier is proud to announce our new Remember When Volunteer Series which debut’s next week. Once a week we will be highlighting a volunteer and learn more about them. Museum volunteers have answered some interview questions and let us know things like: their favorite carousel fact, why they volunteer at the museum, and more! Come back next week for the new Remember When Volunteer Series.
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