The Carousel Museum

The Carousel Museum Visit us in Bristol. We host birthday parties & educational programming throughout the year! ft.
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The Carousel Museum was founded as a nonprofit educational organization in 1990, in Bristol, Connecticut. At that time, the Carousel Museum rented 10,000 square feet of space on the first floor of the restored 33,000 sq. factory building at 95 Riverside Avenue and owned one carousel horse for our collection. We displayed a diverse collection of carousel art and memorabilia all of which was on long

-term loan to the Museum. The growth of the Carousel Museum since 1990 has been astounding, and it could not be where it is today without the support of the greater Bristol community. What began as a dream with one horse is now a thriving, first-class institution, but still, there is room to grow. https://linktr.ee/newenglandcarouselmuseum Event registration links and more!

🌸🎶 Swing Into Summer with us at the Carousel Museum! Join us for an evening of live music, dancing, and fun featuring th...
05/28/2026

🌸🎶 Swing Into Summer with us at the Carousel Museum! Join us for an evening of live music, dancing, and fun featuring the incredible Al Fenton Big Band. Enjoy an open rehearsal on the dance floor, beautiful carousel surroundings, and a night full of summer vibes!

📅 June 11, 2026
📍 Carousel Museum, Bristol, CT
🎟️ Members Free | Adults $15 | Seniors/Students $10 | Kids 12 & Under Free

Bring your dancing shoes and come celebrate summer with us! 💃🕺

We are so grateful to the wonderful volunteers from the Bristol Garden Club for helping beautify the outside of our muse...
05/27/2026

We are so grateful to the wonderful volunteers from the Bristol Garden Club for helping beautify the outside of our museum! 🌿🌸

Their hard work, care, and dedication have made our grounds look more welcoming and vibrant for all of our visitors. Thank you for supporting the museum and sharing your time and talents with our community! 💚

🌸🎶 Swing Into Summer with us at the Carousel Museum! Join us for an evening of live music, dancing, and fun featuring th...
05/27/2026

🌸🎶 Swing Into Summer with us at the Carousel Museum! Join us for an evening of live music, dancing, and fun featuring the incredible Al Fenton Big Band. Enjoy an open rehearsal on the dance floor, beautiful carousel surroundings, and a night full of summer vibes!

📅 June 11, 2026
📍 New England Carousel Museum, Bristol, CT
🎟️ Members Free | Adults $15 | Seniors/Students $10 | Kids 12 & Under Free

Bring your dancing shoes and come celebrate summer with us! 💃🕺

We are proud to celebrate the opening of Lake Compounce's new museum inside the park!The Carousel Museum and Lake Compou...
05/25/2026

We are proud to celebrate the opening of Lake Compounce's new museum inside the park!

The Carousel Museum and Lake Compounce have always shared a special friendship and a passion for preserving history, art, and community traditions. We are especially honored that they included a dedicated corner to The Carousel Museum, where visitors can learn about our museum’s history and discover how carousel figures were once hand-carved by talented artisans.

The museum is a wonderful place to explore the rich history of Lake Compounce while also learning about the beautiful folk art tradition of carousels and carousel carving.

We value our friendship and the support we share, and we are grateful to be part of this exciting project.

Be sure to visit the Lake Compounce Museum during your next trip to the park!

Yesterday, we proudly hosted the very first class of The OWL Society Educational Program at The Carousel Museum!Our part...
05/22/2026

Yesterday, we proudly hosted the very first class of The OWL Society Educational Program at The Carousel Museum!

Our participants enjoyed an engaging and empowering self-defense class led by the incredible team from Varasconi’s School of Self-Defense / Hamzy’s School. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this inspiring evening of learning, confidence-building, and community connection.

The OWL Society is designed to bring women together through lifelong learning, wellness, and meaningful experiences in a welcoming environment.

Stay tuned for our next class and upcoming programs!

Learn more about The OWL Society here: https://www.thecarouselmuseum.org/owlsociety

LAST CALL — A Few Free Spots Remain for The OWL Society!We’re so excited to welcome one of our upcoming OWL Society pres...
05/20/2026

LAST CALL — A Few Free Spots Remain for The OWL Society!

We’re so excited to welcome one of our upcoming OWL Society presenters and want to give a big shoutout to Varasconi’s School of Self-Defense Branch of Hamzy’s School of Martial Arts in Bristol!

Established in 1982, they’re the oldest martial arts dojo in the area and have spent decades helping people build confidence, strength, discipline, and practical self-defense skills.

For our upcoming OWL Society session, they’ll be sharing personal safety and self-defense strategies designed to be approachable, practical, and empowering. One thing I especially loved hearing? Their techniques are intended to work for people of all abilities, experience and fitness levels — because confidence and safety don’t have an age limit.

We sometimes hear women say, “Programs like that aren’t really for me anymore.” We disagree. This absolutely is for you.

Thanks to support from the Women & Girls Fund at Main Street Community Foundation, this program is completely free to women (55+) from Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott.

✨ Older. Wiser. Lifelong learners.
✨ Community, connection, and learning together
✨ Just a few spots left!

Interested? Message us or sign up today before the final spaces are gone. Email us at [email protected]

✨ Treasures for the Carousel Museum ✨Do you love the Carousel Museum? Do you have items you no longer need? What may no ...
05/16/2026

✨ Treasures for the Carousel Museum ✨

Do you love the Carousel Museum? Do you have items you no longer need? What may no longer have a place in your home could become a treasure for the museum!

We are currently accepting donations for our upcoming Carousel Museum Estate Sale fundraiser. Donations help support the museum’s preservation, restoration, and educational programs while giving cherished items a second life.

We are looking for:
🪞 Vintage & antique décor
🎠 Carousel or amusement-related items
🧸 Collectibles & toys
🖼 Artwork & framed pieces
💍 Jewelry
📻 Signs & advertising pieces
🏺 Small antiques & decorative objects

Please note: we cannot accept clothing, large furniture, mattresses, large appliances, or broken electronics.

📅 Donation Dates: June 7–11

To make a donation, please contact Denise Lessow at:
📧 [email protected]

Every donated item helps preserve carousel history for future generations. Thank you for supporting The New England Carousel Museum!

🐴 Reminder: Our Lecture is Tonight! 🐴Join us this evening at the Carousel Museum for a special lecture with Joanne Aubur...
05/14/2026

🐴 Reminder: Our Lecture is Tonight! 🐴

Join us this evening at the Carousel Museum for a special lecture with Joanne Auburn—a lifelong horse enthusiast and passionate Breyer model collector since 1972!

Discover the fascinating world of model horses as Joanne shares:
✨ The history of Breyer Animal Creations
✨ Different horse breeds and model types
✨ The joy of collecting model horses
✨ Model horse shows and the vibrant collector community

Whether you’re a horse lover, collector, or simply curious to learn something new, this fun and engaging program is perfect for all ages!

🎟 Included with regular museum admission
⭐ FREE for museum members
🚶 Walk-ins are welcome

Bring a friend and spend the evening with us at the museum!

Come defy gravity with the most swankified queen herself, Summer Orlando, as she hosts a spellbinding night of Wicked-th...
05/13/2026

Come defy gravity with the most swankified queen herself, Summer Orlando, as she hosts a spellbinding night of Wicked-themed Drag Bingo! We’re bringing the magic from Oz to the Museum for a night of campy bingo rounds packed with fabulous prizes. It’s guaranteed to be a scandalocious good time!
What’s Included:

6 wickedly fun bingo rounds with prizes fit for a wizard

Special 50/50 bingo finale for a cash prize

Live performances straight outta S**z

Dress in your best Glinda, Elphaba, or Citizen of Oz look
Whether you’re pop-u-lar or a little bit Wicked, everyone deserves the chance to win Bingo!

Good to Know:
• Additional bingo cards and daubers are available for purchase
Bring cash for 50/50 round and to tip the performer

Grab your ticket and join us by broom or by bubble (cars work too)!
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://thecarouselmuseum.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F43506

Address

95 Riverside Avenue
Bristol, CT
06010

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+18605855411

Website

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