Will Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Thrilling Carousel Run Again?

One of the special features at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is the carousel. The nearly 100-year old Spillman Carousel, built in 1928 had attracted children, big and small for years. But, due to construction, has been shut down for quite some time as I wrote last year.

The carousel closed down last January, 2024. Along with the museum itself, it has been getting a facelift. The public museum is creating more outdoor areas around the museum along the Grand River and, in a way, detaching the carousel pavilion from the main facility allowing an accessible trail connection.

Also, the walkway roof will become accessible from the inside of the museum and become an exciting outdoor viewing area of the Grand River from about the second story of the carousel.

One of the cool additions to the carousel will be a new accessible chariot. It will allow adults and children with a disability to enjoy a ride around on the carousel, including those with mobility devices like wheelchairs.

On the Grand Rapids Public Museum's Facebook page they showed the design of the chariot, and be beginning of the hand carved animals that will adorn it. The chariot was designed in-house and will be painted in-house, but Todd Goings of Carousels & Carvings in Marion, Ohio is completing the carving.

Key question, will we ever be able to ride the carousel in our lifetime?

Ha! Funny!!

The museum says the are hoping to finish everything and reopen the carousel early this spring. Wishful thinking? Hope not!

They still have to complete the building upgrades as well as adding two more elevators, a big help, and several of the Museum’s core exhibition spaces to be refreshed and reimagined.

It's a hefty $50 million dollar cost, but it's going to so worth it!