Carousel Museum Collection
In preparation for your year end tax donations, please consider donating to the Carousel Museum's transportation fund! Our permanent collection of carousel animals continues to grow each year. Donations to the collection have come from all over the United States including, Maine, Connecticut, New York, Kansas, Las Vegas, New Jersey, California, and New York. Your support of our transportation fund will help us get these animals to the Museum and into their forever home!
Education Programs
Where learning becomes an exhilarating ride!
Call us to book a tour or program at the Museum or at your location.
860-585-5411 x 103
Lecture Programs Offered by the Carousel Museum Education Department
Our traveling Museum Lecture programs last 60 - 90 minutes and are led by one of our knowledgeable Museum Educators. They are designed to be adaptable, serving as stand-alone events at your location or enriching additions to a museum tour among our beautiful collections, ensuring they fit your specific needs!
These programs are designed to cater to various group sizes and ages. They are educational programs that are a valuable addition to your book club, library programming, community group, senior center, parks and recreation programs, senior living community program, and more!
Introduction to the World of Carousels
Prepare to embark on a unique journey into the thrilling history of carousels. Uncover the surprising complexity of this seemingly simple ride, which transcends from amusement parks to fine art. Carousels are a world of unexpected wonders. Are you prepared to be fascinated?
Ghosts of Amusement Parks Past
Today, approximately 200 historic wooden carousels operate across the United States. But what about the countless carousels and amusement parks that once brought joy to thousands during the peak of American carousel history? Ghosts of Amusement Parks Past unveils the stories of these closed parks and carousels, some with mysterious endings. Do remnants still exist? Are you brave enough to uncover the truth?
Meet the Carvers
Discover the history of immigrant woodworkers as they follow the American dream and carve their place into the history of the carousel. The artist genius and legacy of carvers such as Illions, Looff, Carmel, Hershell, Dentzel, and many others will be explored. So, travel back in time with us and learn how they became integral to art and culture during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Carousels Around the World
Get ready for a thrilling adventure as we journey across the globe to explore the diversity of carousels. Do all carousels turn in the same direction? Why are figures smaller in some countries? And why are certain types of animals most popular in certain places? The answers will surely surprise you!
Lecture Programs Pricing
At the Museum:
$150 + Tour Pricing
$15/adult
$10/ Senior (65+) / Students with ID
$5/child
At Your Location:
$250 (Travel rates may apply 25 miles+ from Bristol, CT)
860-585-5411 x 103
Meet Our Education Team
Morgan Fippinger
Executive Director
OUR MISSION
EDUCATIONAL MISSION:
The Education Department at the Carousel Museum is to provide dynamic outreach programming and exhibits that educate and inspire creativity, joy, and wonder to communities of all ages.
EDUCATIONAL VISION:
The Education Department at the Carousel Museum is to use the Museum’s collection and archives as a catalyst for understanding carousel history and the important role it plays in world art and culture.
EDUCATIONAL VALUES:
The Education Department at the Carousel Museum values the idea that we never stop learning. As we continue learning, we grow and are part of the never-ending growth of our communities and world. In keeping with this core value, it is vital to embrace diversity in all its forms and aim to provide outreach programming for all ages, learning levels, and cultures.
Hands-on Activities Offered by the Carousel Museum Education Department
These Hands-on programs last 60 - 90 minutes and are led by one of our knowledgeable Museum Educators. They are designed to be adaptable, serving as stand-alone events at your location or enriching additions to a museum tour among our beautiful collections, ensuring they fit your specific needs!
These programs are designed to cater to various group sizes and ages. They are educational programs that are a valuable addition to your book club, home-school group, library programming, community group, senior center, parks and recreation programs, senior living community program, and more!
Anatomy of a Carousel - Tours & Outings for K-12
What goes into building a carousel? In this hands-on program attendees will learn the different parts of a carousel and horse figures. They will then have the opportunity to create and decorate their own carousel figure. All supplies included. Attendees take home their project.
Carousel Construction - Tours & Outings for K-12
How would you build a carousel figure and what type of animal would you make? Carousel Construction covers topics such as balance and weight and offers attendees the chance create a carousel figure from Legos. All supplies included. All Legos stay with the Museum’s traveling lab program. Attendees have a photo op with our traveling carousel and their LEGO carousel creation.
Magnets & Motion - Tours & Outings for K-12
Did you know that magnets are used in many amusement park rides and carousels? How and why do objects spin? Discover why in this fun hands-on program that's sure to attract and move you. All supplies included. Magnets stay with Museum's traveling lab program. Attendees bring home a craft made fidget spinner.
Puzzles & Ponies - Tours & Outings for K-12
Constructing a carousel or creating a figure is a puzzle to solve. In this inquisitive lab, attendees will have the opportunity to try different puzzles as the concept of critical thinking is discussed. All supplies included. Some puzzles to stay with Museum’s traveling lab program. Each attendee will have a puzzle to keep.
Scribble Bots - Tours and Outings for K - 12
Why is a carousel built the way it is? What would happen if all the horses were on one side of the ride? The Carousel Museum's Scribble Bot activity offers guests a fantastic opportunity to delve into the mechanics of carousel motion. Participants will Create a robot that moves and learn about direction, balance and power in The Carousel Musem's Scribble Bot lab. All supplies included. Scribble Bots are a take home item for all attendees.
860-585-5411 x 103
Hands-on Activity Pricing
$250 $15/person ($250 minimum) (Travel rates may apply 25 miles+ from Bristol, CT)
Tours
Guided Tour reservations must be made in advance. Guided tours are for groups of 5 or more people ages 5 - 105! Have a preschool group? Call us for play and learn programming and tours.
Tours are 45 minutes long and can be modified to fit your group's interests.
Children: $5
Adults: $15
Seniors (65+) Students with ID: $10
Looking to stay for lunch! We can provide a boxed lunch for your entire group please call for pricing and menu options.
To make a reservation please call 860-585-5411 x 102