Castle Gardens restores 36-horse carousel

Posted on February 18, 2017
The 36-horse carousel took approximately eight years to restore. (Photo Courtesy Facebook/Castle Gardens)

By Patrick Baron

LEXINGTON – Eight years of restoration on an Allan Herschell 36-horse carousel will soon be completed for the people of Castle Gardens in Lexington.

Ten years ago, Castle Gardens owner Mary Beth Wright’s father-in-law purchased the machine and since then they have been working to restore the carousel to its former glory. Wright explained after her father-in-law passed away two years ago, they had to take the project all the way to the finish line.

“We’ve had help from local people stripping horses, a local paint and body shop has sprayed them with primer, so it really is a group effort,” said Wright.

Once completed, the carousel will be one of a handful in the entire state. Wright explained while the carousel will only run for private events, it can still be used in the background of photoshoots.

“If there was an event at Castle Gardens, say a wedding, then the bride and groom choose if they want to use the carousel and give their guests rides, or it can be just the backdrop,” said Wright.

Wright said she expects the carousel to be up and running by the time Castle Gardens’s concert season comes around in the summer.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

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