Installed at Glen Echo Park in 1921, the carousel was made by the Dentzel Carousel Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The carousel features a menagerie of animals who gallop to the music of a Wurlitzer band organ. More than 1,000 lights sparkle from the carousel and are reflected in the mirrors on the rounding board and on the inner drum. The carousel turns at about 5 revolutions per minute.
In 1960, the carousel was the focal point of a civil rights sit-in demonstration against segregation at the park. Yielding to local pressure, the park's private owners opened its gates to all races in 1961.
In 1970, the carousel was slated to be moved to California. The local community, however, raised the funds to purchase the carousel and donated it to the National Park Service, thereby saving it for the present and future generations. The Glen Echo Park Partnership currently operates and maintains the carousel.
A 20-year effort to restore the carousel was completed in 2003. The carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Glen Echo Park
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service