Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Libertyland's Grand Carousel to be uncrated


Recommended Posts

Possible home may be the Children's Museum:

 

Libertyland Carousel to be Uncrated

 

When the Memphis City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 3, gets its second briefing in as many weeks on the proposed overhaul of the Mid-South Fairgrounds, they will hear from Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s administration that the mothballed Grand Carousel from the old Libertyland amusement park is about to be uncrated and reassembled as part of the Children’s Museum of Memphis.

 

No one involved was talking on the record Monday, Feb. 2, about the announcement, but the carousel has long been a part of the administration’s tentative plans for the Children’s Museum, which is on the southwest corner of the fairgrounds property – at Central Avenue and Hollywood Street.

 

The Grand Carousel was dismantled in 2009, approximately 100 years after it was created. Its first stop in Memphis in the 1920s was the old East End Amusement Park in Midtown.

 

After its move from the East End, it became part of a set of rides at the fairgrounds long before Libertyland opened in 1976.

 

The carousel’s hand-carved and painted wooden creatures and bright and elaborate foundation were crated as Libertyland, which had closed four years earlier, was demolished in the development of Tiger Lane from the East Parkway entrance of the fairgrounds to the western side of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

 

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2015/feb/3/southwest-airlines-adds-memphis-dallas-flights/#94031

Edited by cfc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 6
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

CITY OF MEMPHIS TO LOAN GRAND CAROUSEL TO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

 

Museum Plans $1Million Refurbishment, $3Million Glass Building to House Carousel

 

Memphis, TN – Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. signed an agreement with the Children’s Museum of Memphis for the use and care of the Grand Carousel formerly located at the now closed Libertyland amusement park.

 

The Children’s Museum has raised the money needed to refurbish the more than 100-year-old- carousel. The restoration work is to be done over the next two years by Carousels and Carvings of Marion, Ohio.

 

The museum has a capital campaign underway to raise funds to build a glass building on the museum’s front lawn to house the Carousel once the restoration is complete.

 

School groups will be able to ride the carousel free. Also, low income families have access to the museum free of charge through the “Yes to Every Child” program.

 

“I am excited that the City of Memphis is able to partner with the Children’s Museum to make this treasured piece of our city’s history available to all of the children of Memphis,” said Councilwoman Wanda Halbert, who represents District 4 where the museum is located at 2525 Central Ave.

 

Libertyland closed in 2005 and the carousel was carefully dismantled in October 2009 and is currently housed at the now closed Mid-south Coliseum inside secured and sealed semi-trailers ready for transport to Ohio where the restoration is to take place.

 

If all goes according to plan the Children’s Museums expects the Grand Carousel to be up and running again in 2017

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

Update, the 1909 Dentzel will once again be enjoyed come November. Some of Libertyland will actually live again in Memphis

 

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2017/sep/7/historic-grand-carousel-expected-to-be-unveiled-in-november/

 

Sure wish Memphis had kept the rights to the Zippin Pippin as Elvis Presley Enterprises may have come around for it considering their continued growth of Graceland which now offer a 7,000 performance venue for up to 50 events a year

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Whenever there's an old ride that once was closed down and then it comes back to life and restored in a new site is always wonderful news to all riders and amusement park flyers. Think of all the past riders that once enjoyed that carousel, then think about the future riders that will a chance to ride it. You Gotta Love It!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was able to see the images of Libertyland's Grand Carousel in its new home and it looks fantastic! Something that cool and amazing should not have to be locked away for eternity. I can imagine all the kiddies running on board and climbing on their favorite horse. But I do have one thought: will the carousel organ be grinding out Elvis songs? I bet that would be too sweet!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/