Another Historic Broome County Carousel Needs Repairs

The Binghamton area has six notable carousels and they need plenty of professional care to keep them in operation.

One of the local merry-go-rounds will require some repair work before it can be opened for the season.

Town of Union supervisor Robert Mack said the carousel at West Endicott Park is in need of attention.

The town board has hired WRF Designs of Connecticut to do the necessary work. The firm specializes in repairing and restoring carousels.

The work is expected to cost between $17,000 and $24,000. The extent of the needed repairs won't be known until company representatives analyze the carousel's mechanisms and gears on-site.

Mack said the Connecticut company did a restoration park on the town carousel at Highland Park in Endwell.

A preliminary inspection of the West Endicott merry-go-round revealed electrical system upgrades are needed.

Mack said "the mechanics of the carousel are in rough shape." But he said the restoration firm has indicated the repairs should be completed so the ride can operate this summer.

The West Endicott carousel has been a fixture in the neighborhood park for nearly a century.

Businessman George F. Johnson donated it and five other Allan Herschell carousels to Broome County parks. Those historic gifts resulted in the Binghamton area becoming known as "The Carousel Capital of the World."

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.