About the Carousel
A legacy project where local artisans and volunteers can make a unique impact on the Snoqualmie Valley community.
Our story begins in 1970 near Chester, West Virginia, in an amusement park named Rock Springs. After nearby highway expansion forced the park to close, they sold all of their rides at auction, including our Dentzel-Muller Grand Amusement Carousel. This carousel was special, believed to be the last ever off the construction line in 1927.
Although the carousel was originally kept together, the horses and other menagerie animals were eventually sold from the collection. What remained, however, was the mechanical heart of the carousel, as well as other beautiful art pieces such as sculpted cherubs, rosettes, and many painted antique panels, the building blocks for our future restoration.
In 2020, a local nonprofit organization in North Bend, Washington, received a charitable donation of this Dentzel-Muller Grand Amusement Carousel. Thanks to a generous gift from Larry & Gail Freels—coordinated by Tobin Fraley—the majority of the carousel’s hardware and its operating mechanism were donated to North Bend Art & Industry (NBA&I).
In 2022, the Snoqualmie Valley Carousel (SVC) became a distinct organization with the support of NBA&I.
Our carousel has three rows for animals of all shapes and sizes. It contains artistic panels depicting life in the early 1900s—a time when carousels were the highlight for many amusement parks across the United States. Although we do not have the original animals, we have a unique opportunity to restore the spirit and heart of the original, while creating something unique for the Snoqualmie Valley. We want to create a new menagerie with your help and sponsorship and restore this carousel back to its former glory.
Snoqualmie Valley Carousel is a community project, where the majority of the restoration will happen with the help of artisans and volunteers. SVC continues to work towards finding this carousel’s future location in the Valley and will make sure this wonderful piece of art and history can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Q&A
Is the original carousel intact?
SVC has the majority of the carousel’s hardware and its operating mechanism. A team of volunteers is in the process of restoring artwork, creating the horses, menagerie, and bringing new life to the carousel, representing its new home in the Snoqualmie Valley. The figures represented will be part of the collaboration between the carousel’s sponsors and our design team.
What type of wood will be used to create the animals?
Basswood is used for carving the menagerie and other artistic elements of the carousel. It is easy to carve and resists warping, shrinking, and cracking and has long been used as the wood of choice for carousel creatures.
How will the project be funded?
The restoration will be funded by grants, fundraising events, individual and corporate donations, and animal sponsors.
What is the project’s timeline?
The restoration will occur in phases. For the current phase, we are working on the operating mechanism and are actively engaging with sponsors to design the menagerie so carving can begin.
Who is working on the restoration?
A team of devoted volunteers is working to restore the carousel and honor its history and craftsmanship, while bringing a balance of modernity for the 21st century. Millwrights, electricians, artists, carvers, painters, and a team of administrative personnel are all working on the project based on their love of art, history, and storytelling.