The History of the Central Park Carousel

The Central Park Carousel is one of the most popular NYC destinations for adults and children alike. It is an icon, offering adventure, nostalgia, and an appreciation for nature and the arts. The Carousel resides in the middle of the Park, near the 65th Street Transverse. The calliope music can be heard from short distances, and the giggles of little children echo outward from the brick enclosure.

The first carousel in Central Park was installed in 1871. It was powered by a horse and a mule, who were harnessed to a pole underneath the platform; they walked in circles to move the carousel riders above. When the carousel operator tapped a foot on the platform, the animals knew it was time to start or stop—a pretty neat way to get things moving!

The original carousel was destroyed by a fire in 1924, and its replacement was also destroyed by a fire in 1950. The present-day Central Park Carousel, the fourth rendition, was originally not in Central Park at all.

In 1908, artists Solomon Stein and Harry Goldstein designed and carved a beautifully ornate carousel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was placed at Coney Island, where it remained well into the 1940s. The carousel was abandoned and later rediscovered.

The Michael Friedsam Foundation provided a grant for the renovation of the merry-go-round. It was moved to its current home in July 1951. The Carousel is known as the Michael Friedsam Memorial Carousel, and it bears a plaque commemorating the American philanthropist and his dedication to the arts in the City.

There have been several renovations and restoration projects since the Carousel arrived. In 1990, the Central Park Conservancy restored the carousel and renovated the plaza surrounding it. Since 2010, there have been several different operators, most recently under the management of Central Amusement International beginning in October 2021.

The merry-go-round was initially a point of contention between the Park’s designers and landscapers. Central Park is meant to be an escape from the commercial and urban bustle, a true reprieve in nature. Nevertheless, the Children’s District of the Park—including the Wollman Rink, Chess & Checkers House, the Dairy, and the carousel—provides a different sense of reprieve. The carousel pays tribute to American folk art with its 57 hand-carved horses and two chariots, which span a 50-foot diameter turntable. Tourists and New Yorkers alike can enjoy this iconic destination in one of the most-visited parks in the world, watching or hopping on as horses gallop along to the calliope tunes coming from the organ inside.

The Carousel is a sure bet for an enjoyable time with family and friends. It holds such a rich history: It’s practically endured its own Industrial Revolution—first powered by actual horsepower, then steam, and eventually the mechanical operations of today, the Carousel has seen it all.

The Carousel can be found at the center of Central Park, near the 65th Street Transverse. It is open seven days a week from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm in the winter and 11:00 am to 6:00 pm in the spring, summer, and fall. About 250,000 people ride the Carousel each year, and we hope you will join the fun.