The Project

Project Phases

The Carousel of Smiles project has three primary phases that comprise the overall project scope: Restoration; Facility; and Operations. These phases are primarily sequential in nature, but there will be some overlap in timeline and activities.

Phase 1: Restoration

The restoration phase of the carousel includes the actual restoration of the carousel as well as the research, gathering, and dissemination of knowledge, information and stories, an integral aspect of the educational component of the project’s mission.

Utilizing the completed photo documentation, the creation of the carousel’s restoration plan will continue, seeking input from known expertise around the country, as well as specific local expertise that has come forward due to our publicity and outreach efforts.

The restoration will proceed in stages, with work performed largely by volunteers, supplemented by paid experts as needed. The restoration plan, (still a work in process), details exactly what needs to be performed, but generally the differing types of work are evident, and include restoration, repair, and replacement of the mechanical systems and structure as needed; electrical modernization; drive system replacement; restoration and new painting of the horses & chariots; restoration and repainting of the interior art panels and rounding boards, with new original painted scenes as appropriate.

Phase 2: Facility

The Facility Phase relates to the selection of a suitable, public venue location in Sandpoint Idaho, and design and implementation of the physical facility that will be the permanent home of the carousel and related activities. This phase is expected to be undertaken as a joint venture with the City of Sandpoint, and involve input of the citizenry and government. The exact nature of this phase will evolve as the process commences and continues. It is expected that City will take the lead on the facility itself with input/guidance/direction provided by The Carousel of Smiles, Ltd, and independent members of the Sandpoint Community.

The current vision, is to work with the City to incorporate a carousel pavilion into a new facility at Sandpoint’s City Beach, utilizing the carousel as a catalyst to generate synergy with other activities at the beach, especially during the shoulder and off seasons periods.

Phase 3: Operations

Operation of the carousel is expected to remain in the purview of The Carousel of Smiles, Ltd, with the facility operations to be created and managed in cooperation with the city of Sandpoint.

Of the 152 +/- Golden Age carousels operating around the country, many are operated by their 501(c)(3) entities in cooperation or partnership with the governmental entities they are located in (municipal, county or state). We have, and will continue to outreach to those examples we desire to be similarly modeled after, in order to gain insight and draw from known experiences and expertise.

Fundraising

Integral to all aspects of this project will be fundraising, utilizing a variety of programs and activities with the objective of securing sufficient funds for three funding campaigns:

The Carousel Restoration Fund
The Facility Fund
The Endowment Fund – includes an operational shortfall “cushion” and future maintenance/repair

Mission & Vision

Through the restoration, revitalization, and operation of a vintage Golden Age 1920 Allan Herschell carousel, The Carousel of Smiles project seeks to:

Educate, and foster interest in and appreciation of, the early 20th century carousel arts in context to the industrial age and their historical roots; and to uncover and extoll the history, stories and lives of personas associated with carousels and the venues they operated within
Align with selected not-for-profit organizations, and by utilizing the draw and intrinsic excitement of carousels, assist in the aid and support of those missions
Exemplify the positivity and synergy when profit/not-for-profit entities, community, and government coalesce together for common objectives—engaging the community, promoting local business and tourism, and providing Sandpoint and its visitors with a unique opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasure of having fun
Renew the carousel’s original mission to create memories and bring smiles to kids young and old through a classic carousel experience, and establish a lasting legacy of magic for future generations

The ingredients that go into the universal love of carousels are definitely unique. No other aspect of our heritage can claim to combine the nostalgia, innocence, and fantasy of childhood with the innovations of the Industrial Revolution, and the exquisitely talented craftsmen of turn-of-century America. The carousel, has etched a place not only in our history, but in our hearts.

Tobin Fraley, The Great American Carousel

Support the Carousel

There are plenty of ways that you can get involved the bring the magic and joy of the carousel to Sandpoint.

Volunteer

It’s all hands on deck for this community-supported project! Find out how you can help.

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Create

We invite local artists to lend their skills and passions in support of The Carousel of Smiles.

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Donate

Donations of any size help us in our mission to restore a vintage carousel for Sandpoint.

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The Project

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