Tim Trager wrote:

> The roof structures on the inside of old carousel pavilions were wood
> and were substantially taller than the carousel itself.  The exposed
> wood naturally absorbed sound.  The combination of the open sides and
> the high wood roof resulted in the perfect acoustical environment.
> Fred Fried's "Pictorial History of the Carousel" shows many of these
> ornate buildings.

Why were American carousels placed inside buildings?  Here in the UK,
they are completely in the open air, with only their tilts (canvas
covers) for protection from the weather.

Of course, most of these rides were in travelling fairs, but even when
used in static fairgrounds, they usually stand in the open, with very
few exceptions.  There are therefore no obstructions to the natural
acoustics of ride and organ, with the rotating horses creating a Doppler
effect.

The ride itself, being completely open on all sides, is more accessible
for prospective fares, and the revolving view and noise of the
surrounding fair from a horseback is an experience not easily matched
from inside a building.

John Page