After years of preparation, the Albany Historic Carousel and Museum opened Tuesday, Aug. 15, at the corner of 1st Avenue SW and Washington Street SW.
The completion of the 22,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility was celebrated with a ribbon cutting event, which acknowledged and thanked the volunteers who made the facility happen and to officially “open” the Carousel..
“This is not just about the Carousel,” said Carl Baker, lead engineer of the mechanism. “It’s about the community – so many people working together – that’s what this Carousel is all about!”
Guests were treated to a free ride, refreshments, outdoor entertainment and kids’ activities.
The carousel project began in 2002. Carving officially began on June 7, 2003. It has taken over 14 years to complete, all work has been done by hand by volunteers of all skill levels. The tradition will continue with additional animals to complete and repairs that will certainly be needed. No experience is necessary to volunteer and volunteers over the age of 14 are welcomed to fill out an application.
Overseen by a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to building a traditional carousel in Albany’s downtown historic district, the project is the centerpiece of the downtown revitalization effort.
The grassroots project has been serving as an anchor for the Historic Downtown Commercial District and has gained attention and support each year with over 200,000 volunteer hours documented.
Sponsors, donors and grantors have contributed to the carousel project, which has attracted more than 2,000 visitors, on average, every month.
The Carousel Building will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (except for early closures to accommodate special events).
In addition to carvers, volunteers are still needed for all phases of the project: office helpers, gift shop sales, concession sales, carousel operators, painters, sanders, fund-raising and organizers.
For additional information on how to become a volunteer for the Carousel contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator at [email protected].
To learn more about the Albany Historic Carousel & Museum, visit http://www.albanycarousel.com.