Smithsonian Institution Reopens Historic Carousel, Celebrating Civil Rights Legacy
The Smithsonian Institution has reopened its historic carousel after nearly three years of restoration. Originally from Gwynn Oak Amusement Park, the carousel features 54 horses, a sea monster, a pig, and two chariots. The reopening ceremony highlighted its historical significance as an emblem of the civil rights struggle. The carousel was first desegregated in the 1960s, and the first riders at the reopening were African American adults who had participated in its desegregation. The carousel, now located in front of the Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building, serves as a monument to freedom and the pursuit of happiness.