The Empire State Carousel

The Empire State Carousel. . , The Empire State Carousel is based on the theme of New York history and culture., First conceived in 1983 by head carver Gerry Holzman and guided to completion by him and his wife Arlene, this unique merry-go-round showcases original contributions by nearly 1,000 New York volunteer artisans and artists. It was donated to The Farmers' Museum by the Empire State Carousel Association and opened here on Memorial Day 2006., [Illustration caption] "Bucky Beaver", Our 25 hand-carved creatures represent the State's wild and domestic animals. Their decorations emphasize regional products and resources. The three bench rides symbolize New York's diverse regions-a Long Island scallop shell, an Erie Canal boat, and a North Tonawanda antique lovers tub. State folklore is celebrated with hand-carved interior panels depicting characters like Uncle Sam and Captain Kidd. Carved portraits of notable New Yorkers like Susan B. Anthony, Teddy Roosevelt, and Jackie Robinson enhance the upper rounding boards., Canopy murals chronicle special moments in New York history ranging from the arrival of the Half Moon to the construction of Levittown. Hand-carved mirror frames and quilted banners recognize the regions of New York, while carved place names commemorate our towns and cities. The sweeps (rafters) of the carousel feature individually stenciled State symbols-bluebirds, roses, apples, and sugar maples., Welcome to the Empire State Carousel. Hop aboard-Our museum you can ride on.