Dynasty and the New England Carousel Museum: Part 1

Recently FM Brush Company and Dynasty made a brush donation to the New England Carousel Museum. Located in Bristol, Connecticut, the New England Carousel Museum's mission, as stated on their website, "is to preserve and protect antique wooden carousels and carousel pieces." As you can imagine, work such as this takes the dedication and collaboration of many artisans and craftspeople. 

Horse lovingly restored by the artists at the New England Carousel Museum

NECM Executive Director Morgan Urgo and Painter and Restoration Department Manager Lisa Gibson-Ronalter shared with us a little insight on just what it takes to preserve this part of our history. The restorers have been working on a few different projects, one of which is restoring the horses on a 1925 Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel installed at Sonny's Place, a recreation destination in Somers, CT. 

From restorer Lisa Gibson-Ronalter: "Carved by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1925, PTC 72 is a three row carousel with a 50 foot platform. Of the 48 horses, 16 are signature pieces that have the PTC logo carved in them (a typical ride would have 1 maybe 2 signature horses). From 1925 to 1928 the carousel operated in Delaware Beach, New Castle, Delaware and then came to Lakewood Park, in Waterbury, Connecticut from 1929 to 1945. The ride went back to PTC factory in Philadelphia and then once again went back into operation from 1952 to 2009 in Kiddieland, Melrose Park, Illinois, the carousel ending up in storage in Chicago Illinois. Though magic of restoration and preservation at the Carousel Museum team is working to bring these splendid horses restored to their former beauty. Horses from PTC 72 ride will be displayed throughout the process at the New England Carousel Museum for viewing, showcased and shared with our many visitors and patrons."

Below Master Painter Judith Baker and Painter/Restoration Department Manager Lisa Gibson-Ronalter work on a Sonny's Place carousel horse. All photos appear courtesy of the New England Carousel Museum.

We have a lot to share with you about NECM, their process and their projects so please stay tuned for this special blog series! In the meantime, if you would like to visit the New England Carousel Museum you can find all of the info you need at their website and their Facebook page. 

And as always, if you would like to learn more about our brushes (like the Orange Ice brushes the restorers are using here) please visit our website.