The Carousel Museum

06/21/2026

Become a Carousel Ride Sponsor! 🎠

The Carousel Museum is excited to introduce our Carousel Ride Sponsorship Program! By sponsoring a day of carousel rides, you provide free unlimited rides for every guest while supporting our museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate the art, craftsmanship, and history of carousels through exhibitions, restoration, and education, and to create joyful memories for visitors of all ages.

✨ Weekday Sponsorship: $50
✨ Weekend Sponsorship: $100

As a thank-you for your generosity, your name or your business's name will be proudly displayed on our Carousel Ride Sponsorship Board in front of the carousel for your sponsored day.

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, honoring a loved one, recognizing an anniversary, promoting your business, or simply giving back to the community, sponsoring a day of rides is a meaningful way to spread joy.

Interested in reserving a sponsorship date? Send us a message or give us a call!

Every spin of the carousel helps keep the magic alive!✨

06/20/2026

🎶 Happy National Band Organ Day! 🎶

Did you know that some of the most magical sounds of the carousel era can still be heard today at The Carousel Museum?

Our Band Organ Gallery celebrates the remarkable mechanical instruments that once filled amusement parks, carousels, and fairgrounds with music. Long before recorded sound, band organs provided the soundtrack to family outings, carousel rides, and summer adventures. Their powerful melodies, created through an intricate combination of pipes, drums, bells, and mechanical engineering, brought joy to generations of visitors.

At The Carousel Museum, guests can do more than admire these historic instruments—they can listen to them. Hearing a band organ play is like stepping back in time and experiencing the sights and sounds of a bygone era.

Join us in celebrating the craftsmanship, artistry, and musical heritage of these extraordinary instruments. Whether you're a lifelong enthusiast or discovering band organs for the first time, we invite you to visit our Band Organ Gallery and let the music transport you to the golden age of amusement parks and carousels.

06/19/2026

🎨 NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AT THE CAROUSEL MUSEUM! 🪵

The Carousel Museum is excited to partner with the Connecticut Wood Carvers to launch our new monthly wood carving education classes!

Whether you're a beginner curious about carving or an experienced artisan looking to refine your skills, these hands-on workshops offer a fun and welcoming environment to learn traditional wood carving techniques. Participants will explore tool safety, wood selection, carving methods, and finishing techniques while creating a unique project to take home.

🐞 July Theme: Carving a Ladybug
📅 Thursday, July 16
⏰ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 The Carousel Museum
95 Riverside Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010

✔ Ages 14 and up
✔ All skill levels welcome
✔ Materials included
✔ $20 per class

Each month will feature a new carving project inspired by nature, folk art, and carousel traditions. Join us to learn a new skill, meet fellow creative minds, and experience the timeless art of wood carving.

Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged!

For more information, contact The Carousel Museum or visit our website.

06/13/2026

Estate Sale Hours
Saturday, June 13 • 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Sunday, June 14 • 1:00 PM–4:00 PM

06/12/2026

Shop for a Cause and Discover Hidden Treasures!

Join us for The Carousel Museum Estate Sale and explore a unique collection of vintage finds, antiques, collectibles, artwork, jewelry, toys, decorative objects, and much more. Every item has been generously donated to support the museum's mission to preserve carousel history and provide educational programs for our community.

Sale Dates & Times:

Saturday, June 13, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Sunday, June 14, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Whether you're searching for a one-of-a-kind treasure, a special gift, or a piece of local history, you'll find something to love while helping support the Carousel Museum.

Free Museum Admission All Weekend — June 13–14!

06/12/2026

🏛️ New items have been added to our Museum Estate Sale! Stop by and find your next treasure while supporting the museum. Every purchase makes a difference!

06/12/2026

Don't miss the Museum Estate Sale! Shop a wide variety of donated items, antiques, collectibles, and more while supporting the preservation of local history.

06/06/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Debra Morra for visiting The Carousel Museum and creating a wonderful film featuring our museum, collections, and mission. It was a pleasure to share the stories behind our historic carousel animals, artwork, and the rich tradition of carousel carving with her audience.

For those who may not be familiar with her work, Debra is the creator and host of The Antique Detective, a YouTube series that explores antique shops, museums, consignment stores, and other hidden gems throughout Connecticut and New England.

Step inside The Carousel Museum in Bristol, Connecticut with The An...