The iconic Spillman Carousel at the Grand Rapids Public Museum has a new feature that makes it possible for more visitors to experience the nearly century-old attraction.
Visitors who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices can now take a spin on the 1928 Spillman Carousel alongside the rest of the museum’s guests.
As part of an event Wednesday, Sept. 30, the GRPM highlighted the carousel’s new accessible chariot, which allows visitors who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices to ride the historic attraction.
The museum welcomed Little Miss Wheelchair America Dahlia Swanson and Mary Free Bed’s animal-assisted therapy dog, Winton, as guests of honor for the event, which brought attention to the carousel’s expanded accessibility.
The accessible chariot was added as part of the work surrounding the carousel’s reopening earlier this year. The improvements were designed and implemented with support and guidance from the Mary Free Bed Guild, Disability Advocates of Kent County and Meijer Inc.
The GRPM is continuing to spread the word about the new feature, particularly among community members who use mobility devices and may not have previously been able to enjoy the carousel.
Handcrafted in 1928 by the Spillman Engineering Company of North Tonawanda, New York, the carousel features carved wooden animals and a Wurlitzer band organ. It became a defining feature of the Grand Rapids Public Museum after being brought to the city through the vision and leadership of Peter Cook and Dave Mehney Sr.
The carousel is housed in the Cook Carousel Pavilion, named in recognition of the Cook Foundation’s longstanding support.
With the addition of the accessible chariot, the historic attraction has taken another step forward while retaining the details that have made it a Grand Rapids favorite for generations.
