After 20 years of setting idle, Greenville’s 1901 Armitage Herschell Carousel is once again open to public. The Delta Children’s Museum and the Greenville Junior Woman’s Club have worked closely over the last three years to bring “Greenville’s Treasure” back home. The Carousel is housed in the Delta Children’s Museum Pavilion in E. E. Bass Cultural Arts Center in Greenville.
The Carousel, manufactured by the Armitage Herschell Company in 1894, was originally purchased and brought to Greenville in 1901 by its first owner, Eli Wineman. It was placed on a side lot near the family home on Broadway and run as a business for the enjoyment of the community. Upon Mr. Wineman’s death, his widow sold the Carousel in 1934 to its second owner, a black entrepreneur, Harry Crockett. Crockett purchased the Carousel and placed in its second Greenville home on Delessups. In 1953, the Greenville Junior Woman’s Club became the third owner of the Carousel and moved it to Fairyland Park across from Greenville High School. The Club continued to run the Carousel in the 60’s and 70’s but by the early 80’s it was apparent that the Carousel was in need of a major restoration.
The long restoration process began after the Carousel was closed down in 1988. The Delta Children’s Museum purchased the Carousel and its $80,000+ remaining debt from the Junior Woman’s Club in 2005 to become its fourth owner. The Museum and Woman’s Club together joined ranks and on February 17, 2007, the Carousel was officially opened at the “Carousel Gala” by Mayor Heather Hudson. The Carousel debt has now been reduced to $30,000.
The Carousel is open to the public on most Saturday’s from 3:00 to 5:00 pm with access through the front North doors facing S. Main.- look for the “Welcome Carousel Horse” at the door. The cost to ride the Carousel is $1.00 per ride. DCM President Kelli Branton said “The museum wants the Carousel to be used by every child in Greenville and by keeping the cost to $1.00 per ride, this should guarantee it can be enjoyed by everyone.” She also noted that there were specific rules that had to be followed because of safety reasons. Children must be accompanied by a parent or an adult in the Pavilion. Children under 42” tall must be accompanied by a parent or an adult on the ride – not by a teenage brother or sister. Parents can not “drop their children off for an afternoon of Carousel riding.” In order to keep admission costs down, staffing of the Carousel is for operation and safety and not for “baby sitting.” Branton said “Parents should accompany their child - no parent would drop their child off at a carnival to be by themselves!” Patrons must abide by and follow all directions given by the Carousel Operator and Manager. The Operator has complete authority to expel anyone from the Pavilion for inappropriate or unruly behavior. Remember Safety is our first concern. To avoid any disappointments, parents are advised to consider the above guidelines.
