The Carousel Museum

09/02/2026

Lake Compounce fans, tomorrow night is for you!

Ever wonder what’s happening behind the scenes at Lake Compounce? Join us tomorrow evening at The Carousel Museum as Megan Major gives us a look at what goes on beyond the rides and attractions we all know and love!

And don’t come empty-handed! Dig through those closets, basements, and attics and bring along your favorite pieces of Lake Compounce history for Show & Tell: “What’s in Your Attic?” Old photos, souvenirs, memorabilia, and memories are all welcome.

While you’re here, be sure to explore our Lake Compounce exhibit if you haven’t had the chance to see it yet!

Three great reasons to spend tomorrow evening with us at The Carousel Museum!

Know a Lake Compounce fan? Tag them below and bring them along!

08/28/2026

6 days until our next Lecture! Lake Compounce: History Talks!

We’re keeping the stories going with special guest speaker Megan Major, who will be talking about what's going on behind the scenes at the park Thursday, September 3rd from 6:00–7:30 PM.
And because we know some of the best stories aren’t always found in a museum… they’re hiding in your attic!
Following the lecture, we’ll have another “What’s in Your Attic?” Show & Tell! Bring along your Lake Compounce memorabilia, photographs, souvenirs, stories, or other treasures and share a little piece of the park’s history with us.
📅 Thursday, September 3rd
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 The Carousel Museum
🍪 Light refreshments will be served
Come for the lecture, stay for the stories… and maybe finally find out what that old Lake Compounce thing in your attic actually is!

The Carousel Museum's September lecture is almost here!
Lake Compounce: History Talks!

We’re keeping the stories going with special guest speaker Megan Major, who will be talking about what's going on behind the scenes at the park Thursday, September 3rd from 6:00–7:30 PM.

And because we know some of the best stories aren’t always found in a museum… they’re hiding in your attic!
Following the lecture, we’ll have another “What’s in Your Attic?” Show & Tell! Bring along your Lake Compounce memorabilia, photographs, souvenirs, stories, or other treasures and share a little piece of the park’s history with us.

📅 Thursday, September 3rd
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 The Carousel Museum
🍪 Light refreshments will be served

Come for the lecture, stay for the stories… and maybe finally find out what that old Lake Compounce thing in your attic actually is!

08/25/2026

We’re happy to be included on this list of Connecticut’s wonderfully unique museums! ;)
We have to admit, being called an “absurdly specific” museum made us smile!

We don’t necessarily think of ourselves as a “weird” museum. 😉 Carousel art is an important part of American art, craftsmanship, entertainment, and cultural history.

Our collection includes hand-carved and hand-painted figures, chariots, band organs, and other carousel treasures. Each carved figure is a unique wooden sculpture, hand-painted with oil paints.

Carousel history also tells a fascinating story of 19th- and 20th-century immigration, as many of the artists and craftsmen who shaped the American carousel tradition were first-generation immigrants who brought European artistic traditions and skills to the United States.

So, perhaps we are very specific about what we love—but we think the story is anything but small! ❤️

And hey… being called an “absurdly specific” museum is pretty great marketing! 😄

Read the article: “10 Absurdly Specific Connecticut Museums That Somehow Actually Exist."

https://decorhint.com/absurdly-specific-connecticut-museums-that-somehow-actually-exist-2c0f43bd/?utm_source=ct&fbclid=IwY2xjawT69JhwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTN1R2djNE1sMTBCajl3UGRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe34foi4UirhBnejbVa7MOapNkgLxL_czkfTzi4CB2kYRAgQ2kXIKNk90UfPE_aem_VozzZ9vmBUfrgNIkFEJiwA

Connecticut has museums devoted to subjects you would never expect, and these wonderfully specific collections prove almost anything can deserve its own exhibit.

08/21/2026

The Carousel Museum's September lecture is almost here!
Lake Compounce: History Talks!

We’re keeping the stories going with special guest speaker Megan Major, who will be talking about what's going on behind the scenes at the park Thursday, September 3rd from 6:00–7:30 PM.

And because we know some of the best stories aren’t always found in a museum… they’re hiding in your attic!
Following the lecture, we’ll have another “What’s in Your Attic?” Show & Tell! Bring along your Lake Compounce memorabilia, photographs, souvenirs, stories, or other treasures and share a little piece of the park’s history with us.

📅 Thursday, September 3rd
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 The Carousel Museum
🍪 Light refreshments will be served

Come for the lecture, stay for the stories… and maybe finally find out what that old Lake Compounce thing in your attic actually is!

08/19/2026

This is your sign to pick up a paintbrush! 💧🖌️

Join us tomorrow, August 20 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. as our very own Cate Mahoney leads a fun, relaxed watercolor class for the OWL Society!

Even better, admission is FREE for women ages 55+ thanks to a generous grant from the Main Street Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund!

We still have a few spaces available, so grab a friend and come see what the OWL Society is all about.

📧 Email [email protected] to sign up or learn more!

08/19/2026

🎠 NEW ACQUISITION! 🎠

We are thrilled to welcome a beautiful new carousel horse to the collection at The Carousel Museum!

This outside row stander, dating to c. 1890, comes from the shop of renowned carousel maker Gustav Dentzel of Philadelphia.

We are grateful to Melinda Warner for her generous gift to the museum. ❤️

Come visit us and see this beautiful piece of carousel history in person!

08/19/2026

Are you going to miss tomorrow’s woodcarving class? Don’t get too "chiseled" about it! 😉

You’ve got another chance to join us in September, and this time we’re getting into the fall spirit with pumpkin carving! 🎃

But if you’re free tomorrow, we still have a few limited seats left, so grab yours while you can and come learn the art of woodcarving with us!

Can’t make it? No worries. We’ll save you a pumpkin in September. 🍂🔨

Come carve, create, and have a little fun with us at The Carousel Museum!