Let's Talk Vintage #95: The Allure of the Carousel

Welcome to Let's Talk Vintage!

This is where I post about all things vintage and at the end, other bloggers (and sellers) can share their posts about their latest finds, projects, collections, etc.

Today I'm sharing our trip to an old fashioned Pennsylvania amusement park called Knoebels. They are celebrating 90 summers of fun and it all started in 1926 with the "Crystal Pool" and a carousel!

Knoebels is well known to be "old fashioned" because you can pay as you go for each ride, instead of paying a large sum at the gate.

But for me, it was the allure of the carousel....

Since I've never really been a roller coaster kind of gal, the sweet sound of the music and the beautifully carved horses have always attracted my attention.

(This photo is from the Knoebels website)

 

And so did this Carousel Museum which features over 50 carousel figures, scenery panels, chariot sides and other memorabilia from carousels dating back to 1870!

(Note: Info is from the Knoebels carousel museum web page)

 

This was a side panel, which oh-my-goodness,

I just love this old style of design. I

would love to have something like this in my house!

 

 

This was a great shot of some of the museum

horses. All hand carved, by the way.

 
These are amazing examples of the horses from the turn of the century. They all have actual hair for the tails, too.

 

Just simply awesome... these horses have wonderful patina, to say the least! The black one in particular is a real oldie but goodie. It is referred to as a "Standing Horse" and was made by the Merry Go Round Company out of Cincinnati Ohio around 1880. 

Bebe also enjoyed the museum but was mostly

intrigued by the gift shop jewelry! (Because at age

seven, museums are real yawners!)

 

 

 

This was an example of a British piece, notably a rooster. The British refer to a carousel as a "round about."

And this is the "Grand Carousel" that we rode on, the kind where you can still grab the brass ring, which Bebe soon had an obsession with enjoyed immensely.

It was built in 1913 at North Beach, Long Island! The horses were purchased from a wood-carver named Charles Carmel. Carmel was born in Russia in 1865, immigrated to the United States in 1883, and carved carousel figures in his Brooklyn shop. Knoebel's received it in 1941 after purchasing it from Riverside Park in Piscataway Township, NJ. It carries 63 horses and 3 chariots, making it one of the largest in the world. 

Thanks so much for coming along with me to the carousel museum!
 

Now, let's get to this week's features:

And speaking of dreamy, check out Debby Goes Shabby, where Debby shares her"Cinderella Guest Room." Just absolutely lovely!

and Anne's Attic Design shared how to put colors and florals into your home décor. My heart goes pitter patter for the hints of pink among the teal blue!

and Melissa of Melissa's Antiques shares her great ideas to help you plan your trip for the world's Longest Yard Sale. Someday my hubby and I will have to try them out!