Menlo Park Carousel
West Park Avenue and 3rd Street
Images from the Perkasie Historical Society Collection and Rick Doll
Adjacent to the Menlo Aquatic Center, the carousel operates 10 to 12 times per year, please see Perkasie Carousel Schedule for actual dates of operation.
The original 1892 carousel opened on Decoration Day. The carousel was purchased at a cost of $5500 and was delivered in May 1892. Not much is known about this carousel but it is believed to have been manufactured by Gustav Dentzel. It was a steam operated carousel with hand carved wooden animals. During 1892, 1893, and 1894 it operated under canvas from Decoration Day to Labor Day and then was dismantled and stored for the Winter. During September of 1893 the carousel was dismantled and loaded onto railroad freight cars and shipped to Allentown. It was reassembled there and used during the Allentown Fair. It returned to Perkasie in October and was stored away for the Winter.
A building to house the carousel was constructed in 1895. Shutters and a wood floor were added to the building in 1896. This original building stands today, although it has undergone some major renovations.
A portable, Allan Herschell designed carousel was installed as the replacement carousel in 1951. The Perkasie Historical Society renovated the carousel and replaces the roof for opening season of 1970. In 1994, the roof beam was broken in a winter storm. and after refurbishing, re-opened in 1996.
Reference Perkasie Historical Society archives
The original 1892 carousel opened on Decoration Day. The carousel was purchased at a cost of $5500 and was delivered in May 1892. Not much is known about this carousel but it is believed to have been manufactured by Gustav Dentzel. It was a steam operated carousel with hand carved wooden animals. During 1892, 1893, and 1894 it operated under canvas from Decoration Day to Labor Day and then was dismantled and stored for the Winter. During September of 1893 the carousel was dismantled and loaded onto railroad freight cars and shipped to Allentown. It was reassembled there and used during the Allentown Fair. It returned to Perkasie in October and was stored away for the Winter.
A building to house the carousel was constructed in 1895. Shutters and a wood floor were added to the building in 1896. This original building stands today, although it has undergone some major renovations.
A portable, Allan Herschell designed carousel was installed as the replacement carousel in 1951. The Perkasie Historical Society renovated the carousel and replaces the roof for opening season of 1970. In 1994, the roof beam was broken in a winter storm. and after refurbishing, re-opened in 1996.
Reference Perkasie Historical Society archives