WOW!!!
Received a very, very kind totally unexpected message this morning from a woman regarding her and her husband’s fondness for my articles which appear in the Linesville Community News.
She writes: “My husband and I love your column of memories in the Community News. So much rings true to our experiences. Including the Fair! FYI we live in a spot in Vermont that at least rivals yours in Espyville.”
Obviously she was aware of my role as a Carousel Carver, for she further continued :
“Thought you might be interested in the following from the New York Times travel section on the Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round and Beach in Rhode Island. It says: “They rent boathouses and also have a refurbished merry-go-round, circa 1884. Left behind by a traveling carnival, it is reputed to be the oldest antique wooden carousel still in operation. One or two dollars--depending on the horse--will get you a ride. Perhaps you are already aware of this. Keep those columns coming!”
She concluded her correspondence with her name, KAY S. (I have omitted her last name, to insure her privacy.)
Of course, I was MORE than honored by her kind words, and, since I was well aware of the Carousel she mentioned in her email, I took a moment to respond to her inquiry. The information I forwarded to Kay indicated the basic history of the Carousel of which she fondly spoke.
I told her that it is believed that the Watch Hill Carousel was created in 1867 by Andrew Christian and the Charles W. F. Dare Co. of New York City. It is the only surviving flying horse Carousel in the country and the oldest continuously operating Carousel in the United States. It is a TRUE American Treasure…precious beyond comprehension.
I also indicated to her…”As you may (or may not) know, I am a Carousel Carver. I carve by hand in the tradition from 1865-1917. The information you mentioned touches my heart.
My articles are TRULY written from my heart…and contain reminiscences of my Life, and relate to the Lives of many folks. “
Her next response came as even MORE of a surprise.
WHAT CAME NEXT
Kay’s response to the information I provided contained several inquiries: “I did not know there are different traditions for the carousels. How many different eras? What are the differences? How does one era stop and another begin, for example, what was the tradition before 1865, or was that the earliest? What happened to change things in 1917?”
Finally, she added: “How long does it take to carve a single horse? Do you also do the painting? Who selects the color? Do you design a small one first then work from that? I hope your column will cover all my questions and more, it is fascinating!”
WELL, KAY…
The questions you ask have been asked of me literally THOUSANDS of times over the course of my travels throughout our Great Nation during all of my public carving demonstrations and lectures.
The answers to these questions lie within the History of America. As with several other forms of traditional “American” Creativity, the original seeds of development arrived with the generations of immigrants seeking Freedom from oppression, Hope for the Future, and Equality.
The first Carousel “factories” came with the arrival during the pre-Civil War years of German, Italian, and British immigrants to the New World. They built their Carousel workshops and “factories” throughout the Philadelphia, Eastern Pennsylvania, and New York regions. NO ONE was turned away from these establishments. Carvers, painters, woodworkers, carpenters, machinists of ALL nationalities filled the halls of these great establishments. Everyone’s talents were recognized, treasured, and valued equally.
THE CARVER - George Mowack shown with one of his carved horses, done by hand carving and all in the old time way. See article beginning this page describing his carving background, all in answer to an inquiry from a reader, Kay
Towns, cities, and communities grew-up near each of these shops. With them came the various “support” businesses necessary for Life. The economy of each of these areas MORE than thrived!
All Creativity was accomplished in the traditional hand methods. No electrical machinery was used to carve these precious Carousel animals during the era from, approximately, 1865-1917. The popularity of the Carousel multiplied TREMENDOUSLY during this period. Every city demanded that an amusement park…or two…or three, or MORE be built in their area.
The demand became unprecedented. AND…the Time was ripe for the invention of a machine which could carve the animals with greater rapidity. Hence, the “Carving Machine” was invented, circa 1917.
NEW WAVE
The arrival of mechanization to the Carousel industry heralded MANY changes. Hand-carving (except for the most intricate details) became a thing of the past. AND…since the animals were in such great demand, they became much, much smaller. (Hey, quantity overcame Quality!)
The dawn of WWI also had a tremendous impact upon the industry. Factories slowly transformed into the creation of materials to supply our Troops.
Many of the original Carousel factories (which had expanded into area all across the Country) began to close their doors. The demand for their Creations lessened.
Innumerable numbers of the original parks became abandoned territories. Traveling Carnivals stumbled and basically disappeared during the late 1930’s. Rides were left to decay in open fields, barns, and abandoned areas.
The world was, unfortunately, engaged in more serious matters at the Time.
The poor Carousel animals were left to rot and decay…the “tears” of their despair echoed the fears of the Planet.
BUT THEN
A NEW DAY arrived!
With the end of WWII and the beginning of the 1950’s, folks once again began to wish for enjoyment. Some of the surviving amusement parks were reopened. The rides were refurbished as well as possible.
BUT, the Carousels???
Many, many of the Carousels and Merry-Go-Rounds needed the arrival of new animals to replace those which had disappeared or had decayed.
Once again, American Creativity met the challenge.!
Fiberglass made its appearance during the war years. Why not cast new animals in this material?
It worked! Some of the plans of the original animals were still in existence. Using these “blueprints” new animals were created in the form of their original counterparts.
As Time and technology progressed, fiberglass gave way to the arrival of resin…and, Carousel animals were cast in this newest format.
AND TODAY…
The surviving old amusement parks are once again beginning to thrive and flourish. Conneaut Lake Park, near my home, is a PRIME example of this result. Despite all the tremendous trials and difficulties, it not only lives on, but is growing to meet the demands of the current Generation of America, and become a symbol of its People.
TRADITION! TRADITION!
In 1993, I was given the unforeseen gift of becoming a Carousel Carver. The Path was laid-out for me…I had NO CHOICE. (Another story, for another Time!)
AND…the Path was that of a hand carver, one who carves in the Tradition prior to 1917 and the arrival of the “machine-age.”
I carve in that manner…using planks of basswood (from the Linden Tree)…hand tools, no electrical tools..and sanding the animals also by hand.
I had NO idea in 1993 that what I was doing was, and IS, keeping alive the tradition of the generations of Artists and People who were SO VERY instrumental in developing our Nation.
But, as the years, and decades progressed, I slowly began to understand the TRUE reason for why this gift had been placed upon me. Please understand, however, I truly believe that Someone (or MANY, MANY Some Ones) and Something else is in charge of it ALL! I am merely a “conduit,” of sorts.
And, yes, Kay, I do all the work myself: layout, patterns, carving, and painting. Work??? NAH!!! Blessing??? You, provide the answer to that question.
SO, YOU SEE
Time travels in a Circle, much like the Brass Ring I carry with me ALWAYS. That Ring has NO Beginning, and NO End. AND, just like the Circle of our National Heritage, it encompasses EACH and EVERY one of us…no matter who we are, nor our Ancestry.
Take a few moments, Kay, the next time you are near that wonderful treasure near your home. Spend a dollar or two! Jump on and ride one of those remarkable Carousel horses. Turn your ear to hear its Voice. Listen VERY carefully to its whisperings. Then…THEN…reach out…grab one of those Brass rings…and NEVER trade it in. KEEP it FOREVER in your possession…and its teachings in your Heart.
THANKS, KAY!!!
ON A CAROUSEL
Riding along on a carousel, trying to catch up to you
Riding along on a carousel, will I catch up to you?
Now we take our ride together.
- The Hollies
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GEORGE NOWACK is a Carousel Carver. He carves by hand in the tradition from 1865-1917. See article these pages noting it’s believed that the Watch Hill Carousel was created in 1867 by Andrew Christian and the Charles W. F. Dare Co. of New York City. It is the only surviving flying horse carousel in the country and the oldest continuously operating carousel in the United States. It is a TRUE American Treasure…precious beyond comprehension.