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!
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
LAKE COMPOUNCE—180 YEARS OF SUMMER FUN
We are celebrating 180 years of one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States, Lake Compounce, located in Bristol, Connecticut. Since its founding in 1846, the park has stood as a remarkable example of continuity in American leisure, evolving from a simple lakeside picnic ground into a vibrant center of entertainment. Lake Compounce began as a natural retreat, where visitors gathered to enjoy the lake, shaded groves, and open air. As industrialization transformed daily life in the 19th century, places like this park became essential escapes—offering rest, recreation, and a sense of shared community. Over time, the addition of mechanical rides, including a carousel in the early 20th century, marked a shift toward modern amusement culture.
The park’s endurance is what makes it especially significant. Unlike many early amusement parks that disappeared, Lake Compounce has operated continuously for nearly two centuries. Historic attractions such as the Wildcat roller coaster (1927) still stand, bridging past and present and preserving the experience of early thrill rides. Lake Compounce is an important part of American popular culture because it reflects how people have chosen to spend their leisure time across generations. It embodies the rise of mass entertainment, the artistry of ride makers, and the traditions of family outings that became central to American life. From carousel horses to roller coasters, it represents both technological innovation and the universal desire for joy, escape, and shared experience.
This exhibition, presented by the Carousel Museum, explores the rich history of Lake Compounce and its connection to carousel art and amusement design.
Glo Sessions Returns to Bristol
Postponed
The Carousel Museum, in collaboration with the Sessions family, is proud to present a special exhibition honoring the life and work of Glo Sessions—an artist whose creative vision was deeply connected to Bristol. ​
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For over five decades, Sessions captured the people, places, and everyday life of this community, helping shape the city’s visual identity. Her legacy is also part of the Carousel Museum’s history, where she contributed to its early revitalization and served on its board of directors. ​
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This exhibition reflects our commitment to celebrating local artists and preserving the cultural identity of the community we serve. We are especially grateful to the Sessions family for their generous support and donation of her work.
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A selection of artworks will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting The Carousel Museum’s mission as a community-focused nonprofit.