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Forest Park Carousel
Queens, NY |
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Daniel Carl Muller crafted figures for 12 carousels in his life and this carousel in Forest Park is one of only two that remain. Known for fanciful horses, unicorns, bears and other menagerie animals, he worked with the Dentzel Company on this carousel. Dentzel built the frame in 1890 and Muller carved the animals in 1903. It first operated in 1903 in Dracut, MA. There was a previous Dentzel carousel in Forest Park that burned down in 1966. This Muller carousel was bought/relocated to replace it. The carousel was fully restored in the 1970s but by 1985 it was in serious disrepair. It was renovated again in 1988.
The above information was taken from a plaque near the carousel but other sources present a slightly different history. They state that the carousel was created entirely by Muller in 1910, it was moved from Dracut to Queens in 1971, and was restored in 1989.
The carousel has 49 horses, a lion, a tiger, a deer, 2 chariots, and the original carousel band organ. This carousel is breath-taking: well-preserved, detailed figures with gorgeous subtle paint. The inner rows are elevated from the first and therefore there appears to be more detail to the second row horses as well as creation of overall height of the carousel itself. The carousel has not operated since 2009. It will reopen in 2012. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
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Flushing Meadows/Corona Park Carousel
Queens, NY |
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This Queens carousel is a mix of two William F. Mangels/Marcus Charles Illions carousels, previously located in Coney Island, created for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. The frame, organ, chariots and 47 horses were from the Stubbman Carousel. The other 24 horses were from Feltman’s. The figures were created between 1903-1908. There are 4 rows with 64 jumpers, 7 standers, 1 lion and 2 chariots. In 1968, the carousel was moved to its present location, still within the confines of the park that contains other remaining structures from the World’s Fair. Today, the City of New York owns the carousel. One has to wonder what beauty lies beneath the hideous, garish "park paint". Many of the figures have chunks of wooden detail missing. The carousel's rare Gebruder Bruder band organ is in terrible shape and no longer plays. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
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