North Tidewater News

The long-awaited reopening of Hampton’s historic carousel is set for Saturday, March 23. "It’s a day of fun for families of all ages, as we celebrate the repair of a Hampton icon, the location of family outings, dates, marriage proposals and other cherished memories," said an unnamed spokesperson. The carousel, built in 1920 and originally part of the Buckroe Beach Amusement Park, was disassembled in 1985 and restored to its original beauty between 1988 and 1991. It is one of only 170 antique wooden merry-go-rounds still existing in the United States.

"It was closed in the summer of 2022 when structural problems were discovered," revealed the spokesperson. Carousels and Carvings, an Ohio-based company, was contracted to do the repairs, which included disassembly, fabricating and rebuilding mechanical parts and systems, and reassembling the carousel. The historic carousel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, contains 42 oil paintings, 30 mirrors, a 1914 Bruder band organ, 48 hand-carved wooden horses, and two upholstered, hand-carved wooden chariots.

The carousel is operated by the Hampton History Museum and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, but closed on Mondays. Rides are regularly $1, and it closes from Jan. 1-March 31 each year but is opening this year a little early. The reopening ceremony at 11 a.m. on March 23 will be followed by a day of free rides and various activities including face painting, make-and-take crafts, and a DJ and dance activities with K'bana Blaq. Additionally, there will be several food trucks for those who want to purchase food and drinks.