So far about half of the needed funds have been raised. With the return of Asbury Park's 1895 Ferris Wheel from Palace Amusements many great things have been happening around the mint green building, which is a pop culture icon thanks to Bruce Springsteen. It is the goal of the Asbury Park Historical Society to return the Ferris Wheel, which is the oldest in the country, to a restored Palace Amusements building. The group may also buy the 1910 Mangels frame which held the Palace's stable of Looff, Illions, and Dentzel horses until the parks demise in 1989. If that carousel is not purchased the group will look into other venues for a carousel, either antique or new.
Plans are to develope the Palace Amusement arcade into an amusement park and amusement museum.
Tillie is the smiling happy face, embellished with neon, on the side of Palace Amusements, Tillie was copied from Coney Island's Steeplechase, and for a while there was a Steeplechase in Asbury Park. This is the last remaining original Tillie face in the public arena. Moreover, the monthly format means these particular features will now be delivered nearly twice as often. The organization represents over 5,000 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 80 countries, including most amusement parks and attractions in the United States. Scott was fascinated with organs all his life and when he heard that a carousel was coming to Missoula he did not want to be left out of being involved with the project and wanted to be the on site band organ person.