North Tonawanda- The historic Herschell Carrousell Museum will open its doors from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday free of charge to visitors.

In the Erie Canal gateway community of North Tonawanda, just 10 miles south of the thundering  Niagara Falls, is a unique museum which highlights a tradition of quality   craftsmanship and  remembers the iconic creations of a past generation.

The Allan Herschell Carrousel Factory was founded in 1915 and specialized in producing  hand-carved wooden carousels for traveling carnival operators. From 1915 to 1950, the  Herschell factory  was one of the premier producers of amusement rides in the United States.  Aside from the popular musical carousel, the factory also manufactured classic carnival rides such as  the twister, the hurricane and  the sky wheel.

The carousel creations manufactured at the family owned North Tonawanda shop are world-  renowned. Herschell Carousels were  shipped to various destinations across the globe,  including  South Africa, India, Tahiti, Canada and Mexico. Of the estimated 150  antique, hand-  carved wooden carousels still in existence in North America today, more than 75 were  manufactured in North Tonawanda.

The factory still stands today, but now operates as a museum and education center dedicated  to  detailing the fine craftsmanship and iconic products produced in Niagara USA.

The museum offers various programs including woodcarving classes, educational lectures, children’s programming and guided tours. The famous Lockman collection, which is an exhibit of 23 original hand carved carousel animals and a 26-photo portrayal documenting the construction of the historic wooden carousels, is an intriguing depiction of the early days of carousel and amusement craftsmanship and is currently on display.

Inside the museum, which is seven interconnected buildings, sits a fully-operational 1916 Allan Herschell carousel and a smaller “Kiddie Carousel” which was built in the 1940’s. Paid admission to the museum includes one token to ride the carousel.

The factory and museum are on the national and state list of historic places.

And it is all on display for free this Wednesday Aug. 10 from noon to 4 p.m.

However, rides on the carrousel will still cost 50 cents even during the free promotion.

For more information on the carrousel museum click here.

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