Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel

The Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel was built in 1924 by the Dentzel Carousel Company of Philadelphia. The original carousel contained 52 hand carved, multi-colored animals (40 horses, four rabbits, four cats, two pigs, two goats) and two chariots. It originally operated at Woodside Park—a favorite Philadelphia amusement park located less than 10 blocks from Memorial Hall—until 1955. The Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel is on loan from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Restoration work in the carousel pavilion is on schedule and craftsmen have completed the ceiling panels and eight drum panels, which were painted by Please Touch Museum’s Senior Exhibit Designer Lorna Kent over a period of three months. The panels show images of Woodside Park.

After being in storage for almost half a century and two years of extensive restoration, the first batch of carousel animals arrived at Memorial Hall in early August. The craftsmen team led by Todd Goings of Marion, Ohio installed these animals on the historic carousel. By mid-September, the remaining animals will be installed. By the time Please Touch Museum opens, all 52 restored animals, along with more than 1,200 lights and music will again be welcoming children for rides on the Dentzel carousel for generations to come.

[Updates as of August 19, 2008]

To become a part of the legacy we are creating for future generations and to have your name engraved on a plaque on the Woodside Park Carousel, contact: