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Dentzel Carousel

 

Address:

1333 Overbrook Rd. 
Burlington, NC 27215

Phone: (336) 222-5030

 

Hours & Operations:

School Year: 

March, April, May, September & October

(Opening Easter Weekend)

 

Saturday 10:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 7:00pm

 

Summer:

June, July and August

 

Monday CLOSED
Tuesday - Thursday 10:00am - 1:00pm & 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday 10:00am - 1:00pm & 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 7:00pm

***Weather Permitting***

Used with permission via Jean Bennett on Google Images

 

 

History:

 

  • The Dentzel Carousel is located in Burlington’s City Park. It was built around 1906-1910 in Philadelphia at the Dentzel Carousel Company. In 1948 It was bought by the city of Burlington. It is believed that the carousel first ran in the spring of 1913.
  • On the Carousel there are 46 wooden animals to ride. There are three animals in each row. These are all hand carved and include: 26 horses, 4 cats, ostriches, rabbits, pigs, and one deer, giraffe, lion, and tiger. There are also 2 chariots.
  • The animals are carved out of bass and poplar wood. The Dentzel carvers were known for their very realistic carvings. They carved the veins and muscles of the animals, and used glass eyes and real horsehair tails. Which led to no two animals being exactly alike. 
  • Today, there are only 14 Dentzel Menagerie Carousels remaining intact. 

Village Carousel Project

William H. Dentzel's passion is to bring joy and entertainment to children in small communities. So far he has installed 10 of these carousels in Port Townsend WA, Madison CT, Hopland CA, McMinnville TN, Waveland MS, Davis CA, Olympia WA, Kelsey CA, Jalapa Nicaragua and Chiapas Mexico.

Restoration:

The entire Carousel including building, animals, paintings, and mechanics went under restoration from 1981 to 1985. The Alamance County Service League undertook the project to hire professional furniture refinishers and artists, along with many volunteers to finish the job. At the end of the project, the entire Carousel was taken apart and the mechanical parts were checked, cleaned and/or replaced. The carousel had new jumping gears donated by the Lessona company making the machine one of the newest “Old” machines today. 

 

Events: 

Each September, Burlington City Park holds the Burlington Carousel Festival to celebrate the the Carousel. At the festival, there is lots of food, entertainment and games for the whole family to enjoy.

The Carousel is also available for school field trips and group outings from Easter until the end of the school year. 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.burlingtonnc.gov/index.aspx?NID=232

 

http://www.burlingtonnc.gov/index.aspx?NID=867

 

http://www.visitnc.com/listing/burlington-city-park-1910-dentzel-menagerie-carousel

 

 

 

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