Bushnell Park Carousel located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. It is a historic carousel that was built in 1914 and has been operating since 1915. It is one of the few remaining hand-carved carousels in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Bushnell Park Carousel is open to the public year-round. Rides cost $1 each. It is located next to the Mark Twain House on Farmington Avenue, just off of downtown Hartford.
The carousel consists of 58 hand-carved creatures including horses, cats, camels, ostriches and others. The ride also features a camel hump where children can insert a penny for a special treat. It also has a Wurlitzer #157 Military Band Organ.
On September 28, 1998, the carousel was destroyed by arson in what the Hartford Courant called one of the “worst” arsons in city history. The fire killed seven horses and four humans: two children and two adults. It took firefighters an hour to put out the fire, but the building was already completely gutted. Families with children in Hartford had to travel out of town to Pennsylvania or Massachusetts for their amusement needs.
With help from fundraisers and donations, the carousel reopened on May 24, 2000 after just over $2 million in renovations. Two horses that survived the blaze were incorporated into the new carousel. All of the other creatures on the carousel are new, with some based on old designs and some completely new. The Wurlitzer organ was also restored.
The Bushnell Park Carousel is a popular tourist attraction in Hartford and is enjoyed by both children and adults. It is a unique piece of history that should not be missed. A part from tourist attraction there are many reasons why you should visit the Carousel including;
1. It is one of the few remaining hand-carved carousels in the United States
The Carousel is a beautiful example of hand-carved artistry. It is one of the few remaining carousels in the United States that still features this type of craftsmanship.
2. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
The Carousel has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976. This means that it is a significant piece of American history and is worth protecting.
3. It is open to the public year-round
The Carousel is open to the public year-round. This means that you can enjoy a ride on it any time you want.
4. Rides cost only $1 each
A ride on the Carousel only costs $1 each, making it a very affordable attraction.
Therefor, the Bushnell Park Carousel is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Hartford. It is a beautiful example of hand-carved art, and it is open to the public year-round. Rides cost only $1 each, so it is also a very affordable attraction. It is located next to the Mark Twain House, making it easy to visit both attractions in the same trip.