According to the NCA [National Carousel Association] Census, the
carousel at the National Mall is an Allan Herschell classic four
row, portable carousel of wood and metal composition which was built
in 1947.  It has 57 jumping horses, one menagerie animal (dragon),
two chariots and one tub.  The carousel was originally at the Gwynn
Oak Park, Maryland, from 1947 to 1971.  It was then in storage from
1972 to 1981.

The band organ which should be on the carousel is a Wurlitzer 153
and, according to the census, is still currently in the process of
restoration.

It will be interesting to see the comments about where the Wurlitzer
153 is now and _if_ it is really being restored.  We will work to
bring more information to light on the carousel and the organ for
our publication, Carousel & Automatic Music News.

Rosanna Harris
Custer, South Dakota
http://www.carouselautomaticmusic.com/ 

 [ More about the Smithsonian Carousel at Washington Mall is at
 [ http://carousels.org/USACensus/census.pl?NCANo=39&Map=Y  and
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/archives/Digests/200010/2000.10.30.01.html 
 [ -- Robbie