Rhode Island's Historic Carousels Face Decline Due to Climate Change and High Costs
Rhode Island's classic carousels, once numbering over a dozen, are facing an uncertain future due to the escalating impacts of climate change and the high costs associated with their maintenance. Currently, only six carousels remain operational in the state. The carousel at Easton’s Beach in Newport was shuttered in 2019 after saltwater damage compromised its structure, with its pieces now in storage. Similarly, the carousel at Atlantic Beach Park in Westerly's Misquamicut district was dismantled and stored after severe coastal storms in late 2023 and early 2024 destroyed the main building. According to Thomas Shevlin, Newport's director of communications, Easton's Beach has experienced a steady increase in flooding events over the past decade. Amy Trefes, owner of Atlantic Beach Park, noted that antique wooden carousels are labor-intensive and that the recent storms made them reconsider their future operations given the inevitability of future severe weather. Patrick Wentzel, president of the National Car... 
