Albany Brass Ring Carousel Project

Jill's Journal: Never before have Rob and I looked at each other across the room and both said, “Let’s move here.” And to be honest, we barely saw the town of Albany (we drove in and we drove out), so it wasn’t about the place, although it did look like a really cute town of around 50,000. It was in between driving in and driving out of Albany on Saturday that we spent two very special hours at the Brass Ring Carousel Project. Never before have we felt such an amazing sense of community.

This is what the carousel will look like when completed...

The Brass Ring project is a community carousel. Residents wanted to do something to help revitalize downtown, so they pulled together with an idea to create a carousel – no small task. Eventually, the Dentzel family – those of carousel fame who were instrumental in bringing carousels to America in the 1800s – donated a 1909 carousel mechanism, believed to possibly be the final mechanism made by Gustav Dentzel. The family dreamed of seeing the carousel restored to its former glory. The town of Albany is making that happen.

An authentic Dentzel sign on loan from the Dentzel family.  

All volunteers, of any skill, are welcomed with all work – including wood carving, sanding, and painting – being done by hand. Carving began in 2003 and is still several years from completion. The highly-detailed animals, nearly 60 of them, and all the other decorative elements are being done in the exquisite Dentzel tradition. Each animal takes more than 2,000 hours to carve, another 400 hours to paint, and a minimum of four months of drying to complete.

The future floor of Albany's carousel!

A pride of community and sense of togetherness absolutely pervaded the cavernous old building in which the workshop is housed. Everyone there is so proud to be a part of this enduring gift to their town and tribute to history. It is clear they consider each other family. That feeling of a common purpose was amazing and really beautiful to witness. That’s what drew Rob and me in and made us wish we could be a part of it. Hopefully, whatever place we settle down in someday will have a similar community spirit.

The girls were taken under the wing of this wonderful man named Gary. He kept them in stitches while showing them around. They each eagerly colored a picture of their favorite carousel animal for him to place on his wall of fame. He’s putting together a scrapbook of colorings from children who have visited and it will eventually be on display at the carousel museum alongside the working carousel. They thought it was pretty neat when he told them to bring their own children back in 30 years to not only ride the carousel, but also to see their own artwork.

“There is a place in Albany, Oregon where dreams are coming true; where the creativity and talents of many have come together to create something magical.” –Brass Ring Carousel Project

“Children of all ages can enjoy the time-honored artistry and craft displayed to create the historic carousel. Beginning with original renderings, watch as wooden blocks are hand-carved and painted bringing the animals to life. Come and witness the magic for yourself.” –Brass Ring Carousel Project

What an amazing and wonderful place. Surely it’s this kind of “can-do” spirit that made America great. That spirit is definitely carried on through the volunteers at the Brass Ring Carousel Project -- and carried on in vivid and whimsical color.