Celebrate National Carousel Day with the more than 100-year-old Dentzel Carousel

The Carousel Wishes and Dreams exhibit at the Children’s Museum opened in the winter of 2000. Designed to engage visitors of all ages, this permanent, whimsical exhibit fits perfectly with the museum’s mission to inspire joy, wonder, and curiosity by creating powerful memories and experiences for children and adults.

At the heart of the museum, on level 4, lies one of its greatest treasures. The main mechanism was carefully lowered through the roof in 1975. Since then, young and old have been mesmerized by the starry sky and the surroundings of the carousel, brought to life with fiber optic lighting and a restored display window of a historic city center. Indian department store.

Visitors can navigate a mirror maze with carnival mirrors, helping young guests develop problem-solving and direction skills while having fun. Hidden nooks and crannies throughout the exhibit reveal fun activities and artifacts for all ages. The exhibit also features a puzzle and game area designed to enhance thinking skills and encourage cooperative play. Other highlights include:

• A tree house adventure
• A kaleidoscope that visitors can walk into and that surrounds them with vibrant colors
• A playhouse in a garden that changes with the seasons

Most of the artifacts are cherished toys from the past and present, including pieces generously donated by Frank and Theresa Caplan.

To enhance the magic of the exhibition, the children’s book “Carousel to the Stars” was published in honor of the gallery. Featuring poetry, illustrations, and a brief history of the Carousel, the book honors former museum president Mildred S. Comptonwhose visionary leadership preserved this treasure for future generations. The book’s whimsical story captures the Carousel’s timeless charm: “‘Round and round with the sound of the wind, Up and down and round again. Cheers and laughter echo as we spin, ‘Round and round and round.’

The Carousel Gallery renovation, part of the museum’s 75th anniversary celebrations, coincided with the International Year of the Carousel. This exhibition continues to enchant visitors, ensuring that the magic of Carousel Wishes and Dreams lives on for years to come and will be a key focus of the museum’s centenary celebrations in 2025.

Visit the Carousel Wishes and Dreams exhibition today and embark on a journey of nostalgia, fun and learning for the next century!

Media contact

Kimberly Harms RobinsonThe children’s museum of Indian317-334-4003, (e-mail address)www.kindermuseum.org

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SOURCE The Children’s Museum of Indian