It’s hard not to feel sweeping feelings of nostalgia and merriment every time you spy a carousel, particularly as many of them that are operational today are the same ones that generations have enjoyed for more than a century.
Jane’s Carousel is a solid piece of the carousel heyday of the 1920s that continues to bring its rich history full circle, collecting and telling stories of amusement and happiness in every ride. Featuring elements of splendor and simplicity that defined the Roaring 20s, the historic emblem has been fully restored to delight young and old today and for years to come.
A Ride for All Ages, Through the Ages
Like many carousels of the time, Jane’s Carousel was developed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC), with the project reaching completion in 1922. Its original home was in Youngstown, Ohio, as a fixture in Idora Park. A total of 48 intricately carved wooden horses and two chariots span three rows around the perimeter, resembling the classic carousel-style still widely seen today.
The carousel was sold in 1984 to David and Jane Walentas to be included in the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park. Their bid for the carousel was its saving grace, as it prevented it from being dismantled and sold piecemeal.
Restoring Jane’s Carousel to Its Original Grandeur
Since its purchase in 1984, Jane’s Carousel has undergone a full restoration project to preserve its historic beauty and allow others to continue enjoying it just as it was when it was first constructed.
The project included hand scraping away more than 60 years of paint and debris, which revealed the original color palette and intricate details that had faded over time. The Walentas’ used computer color matching and rendering to capture the unique details of each piece so they could be properly restored.
The project also included restoring each of the scenery panels, which had become blackened. New wiring and more than 1200 new lights were included, and the fully restored carousel now stands in Brooklyn Bridge Park overlooking the East River.
Today, visitors can take a spin on Jane’s Carousel for just $2 per ride.
