From: 02h@oasys.dt.navy.mil (CDR Fred C. Wyse)
Newsgroups: dc.general
Subject: Looking for Carousels - Summary!
Date: 2 Oct 92 20:56:28 GMT
Reply-To: 02h@oasys.dt.navy.mil (CDR Fred C. Wyse)
Distribution: dc
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD

Here's the summary on carousels and things like that in the DC area.  
Actually, not limited to DC; summary of all responses.

========================================================================

GLEN ECHO PARK -  This is a glorious merry-go-round that I personally
recommend.  Built in the twenties or thirties, well maintained, etc.
A really nice feature is the working Wurlitzer "band organ" (think that's
what they call it).  It has all these neat moving parts -- I could spend
much more time qawking at it than either my wife or son will stand for.
Costs $0.50 a ride.  Open weekends and most days.  "I think it's great
to spin by and see the calliope banging the drums and clacking the castanets
and ....."  "They have someone there who keeps it up.  He has demonstrated
_making_ carousel horses at the Glen Echo folk festival, ... gives a
course in woodcarving, where the students make small carousel horses."

BURKE LAKE PARK - It's a small one, nothing fancy.  There is a model
railroad train (ride-on version) also there in the park.  Each ride
costs $0.25 -- great bargain.  The schedule for the carousel/train is
staggered that it almost guarantees you ride both (so much for savings).
Down side: the park charges $4.00 per car unless you're a Fairfax County
resident -- although the fee is waived for active duty military.

ON THE MALL AT THE SMITHSONIAN CASTLE - Don't know details.  This one
is apparently seasonal, but was "there and working last Saturday".

THE MALL AT COLUMBIA, MD - Received the largest number of recommendations, 
all enthusiastic.  On the upper deck, at the Sears end.  Dubbed by one 
young admirer "the horsey mall".  More expensive than the Smithsonian
or Wheaton park.  (I don't know the prices of any of them; just relaying
the info as provided! 8-)!!)  "It's a rather spectacular one but I didn't
look close enough to see if it was really old or just a reproduction.
But I suspect the latter."

WHEATON REGIONAL PARK -  Has a very nice carousel and miniature train.
The entrance is off of Georgia Avenue.  This one is also seasonal; but
I have no info about when it ceases running for the winter.  "Wonderful!"
"The park used to be Old MacDonald's Farm, but they now have a carousel."

KING'S DOMINION - Has a nice carousel, restored and in good condition,
but the season is over.  It's calliope wasn't running, though, it had
canned music.  ":-(!!"

LYNNHAVEN MALL, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - "There's a small carousel; someplace
to go if you're travelling to Norfolk :-)!"

BALTIMORE'S INNER HARBOR, SOUTH SHORE - "This one isn't as fancy [as
Columbia Mall above] but I know it to be a genuine antique.  The story
as I remember it (old newspaper article) is that it was once used at
a state fair in the midwest during the late 1800's.  Now that the tourist
season is over I've seen it running only on weekends.  They used to
pack it up for the winter but in recent years I've seen it going year
round if the weather is nice.  Check it out -- plus there's all kinds
of other fun activities in the immediate vicinity.  This is a good time
of year since the summer mobs are gone."

CABIN JOHN REGIONAL PARK - In the "things like that" category: no carousel,
but it does have a petting zoo, an airplane to climb on, a miniature
train (runs weekends), etc.

==========================================================================

This is what I have so far.  I've tried to reliably transcribe the info.
If anyone wants to correct, augment, or add to the list, I'll keep track
and forward updates to whomever desires them.

					    Cheers,
					    Fred Wyse
Newsgroups: dc.general