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today at the museum Open today 10 am–5 pm
Toy carousel
Home Memories, Wonders, and Dreams: Stories from 100 Years Clever Crafting Toy carousel

Toy carousel

Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel
Toy carousel

Toy carousel

Can you imagine opening a gift box to find this fancy carousel? Both levels of the carousel spin as the music box plays. It was made by the Marklin Toy Company in Germany, a company world famous for its toys and sold by the Charles Mayer department store of Indianapolis in 1911.
 
According to Claudia Ryan, CEO of the contemporary Charles Mayer & Co., “The store carried a wide range of merchandise from hobby horses to Chinese urns. Every piece was handpicked for its exceptional craftsmanship and uncommon appeal. Each floor was a study in organized clutter; each corner held the promise of undiscovered treasures.”
 
Donated to the museum by longtime supporter and board member William Rockwood in 1946, the carousel spent many years as a “hands-on” artifact until that heavy use was halted for preservation. Today, there are only a few others like this one in existence.
today at the museum