Spin the horses of Jane’s Carousel. Feel the magic. This isn’t just a ride. It’s a journey through time. Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park is more than a pretty face. It’s a survivor. Built in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company this antique carousel first charmed crowds in Idora Park Ohio. Imagine the laughter. The bright lights. The bustling steel city of Youngstown surrounding it. That merry-go-round was called the Idora Park Merry-Go-Round.
Sadly Idora Park burned down in 1984. The carousel though survived the flames. It was almost lost. Then Jane and David Walentas stepped in. They purchased Jane’s Carousel at auction. They saw its beauty. They saw its potential. They spent years restoring it. Imagine the painstaking work. Scraping away layers of paint. Revealing the original 1922 colors. Repairing the wood carvings. Jane Walentas led the restoration from her DUMBO studio. It wasn’t easy. It took dedication. It took love.
The result is breathtaking. Forty-eight hand-carved horses. Two chariots. A Wurlitzer organ. Each horse is unique. A masterpiece. Jane’s Carousel wasn’t just fixed. It was reborn. The Walentases commissioned a stunning glass pavilion for it. Designed by Jean Nouvel Ateliers this transparent cube protects the carousel. It showcases it. It lets the beauty shine. It’s a perfect home. A home with stunning views of the East River. The Manhattan skyline. The Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
Jane’s Carousel opened in Brooklyn Bridge Park on September 16 2011. It’s a testament to preservation. It’s a celebration of history. It’s a symbol of hope. More than that it’s joy. Pure simple joy. The laughter of children. The wonder in their eyes. A ride on Jane’s Carousel is a ride through time. It’s a connection to the past. It’s a gift to the present. It’s a legacy for the future. Take a ride. Make a memory. Experience the magic of Jane’s Carousel.