HAMPTON — In celebration of National Carousel Day, also known as National Merry-Go-Round Day, the Hampton History Museum will offer free rides on the historic Hampton Carousel (regularly $1) on July 25, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Built in 1920, the carousel is completely restored and housed in its own weather-protected pavilion at Carousel Park on the city’s downtown waterfront, according to a news release from the Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau.
It’s one of only 170 antique wooden merry-go-rounds still existing in the U.S. – it’s hand-crafted by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company for the Buckroe Beach Amusement Park.
It was put in storage with the closure of Buckroe Beach Amusement Park in the mid-1980s, and was restored and moved to its current location in Carousel Park, 602 Settlers Landing Road, in Downtown Hampton in 1991.
The carousel still boasts its original mirrors and oil paintings, as well as 48 intricately decorated horses. The carousel will close for the winter in January 2019, and reopen in the spring, according to the news release.
Hours of operation: Summer (May-August) Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., closed Mondays; winter (April, September-December) Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am – 5 p.m., closed Mondays.
It costs $1 per ride. Tickets are on sale at the Hampton History Museum and at the Hampton Carousel. For information, call the Hampton Visitor Center at 757-727-1102 or visit here.
