Herschell
Everyone loves a carousel! The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, operated by the Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier, is a premier national historic site and community resource for family recreation and learning that fosters an appreciation for the unique heritage of the carousel and related industries in the Niagara Region.
The Children’s Gallery at the museum is filled with fun, educational activities for kids from toddlers to teens. Located in the Children’s Gallery is a small 1940s aluminum carousel. Called a “Kiddie Carousel” in the Allan Herschell Company catalog, it was created specifically for small children to ride without the need for adults to accompany them. The horses are child-size and the machine moves more slowly than a full sized carousel. The Kiddie Carousel has been completely restored and while adults cannot ride on the machine, it is a delight to the eyes.
The new outdoor area features four refurbished kiddie rides from the factory’s postwar baby boom era, as well as a picnic pavilion and admissions house. The rides consist of miniature cars and fire engines, a horse and pony cart, helicopters that lift into the sky, and floating boats. Many of the rides feature interactive elements, such as steering wheels, bells to ring, and height controls.
While it is outside of the museum building, the Kiddieland Testing Park Exhibit is a part of the museum and shouldn’t be missed.
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