City Museum Unveils Antique Children's Carousel

Historic hand-carved ride debuts at iconic St. Louis attraction

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:23am

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City Museum in St. Louis has announced the grand opening of its newest family attraction, the Antique Children's Carousel. The beautifully restored 20-foot diameter carousel was originally manufactured in the 1920s by the renowned Allan Herschell Company and has found a permanent home at the museum, which is known for its imaginative, one-of-a-kind spaces.

Why it matters

The addition of the antique carousel marks City Museum's third ride and its most perfectly scaled adventure for younger visitors, complementing existing attractions like the Rooftop Ferris Wheel and City Express Train. The carousel's historic craftsmanship and nostalgic charm align with the museum's focus on artistry, discovery, and creating magical experiences.

The details

The carousel was restored in the 1980s by sculptor Carlos Sardina and his wife Judy, who toured the antique ride nationwide for decades. Now this historic treasure has found a permanent home at City Museum, where it will delight families with its hand-carved wooden horses and chariots.

  • The Antique Children's Carousel grand opening is scheduled for March 13, 2026.
  • Special events will be held during the first two weekends of the carousel's debut, featuring 1920s-era entertainment like stilt walkers, balloon twisters, and ragtime jazz music.

The players

City Museum

An ever-evolving, artist-built playground in downtown St. Louis that opened in 1997 and has become an iconic attraction for adventurous visitors.

Allan Herschell Company

The most prolific carousel maker in American history, producing over 3,000 hand-carved wooden carousels that traveled with carnivals across the country.

Carlos Sardina

A sculptor who restored the antique carousel in the 1980s and toured it nationwide with his wife Judy for decades.

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What they’re saying

“This carousel feels like it was always meant to be here. City Museum is built on imagination, artistry, and unexpected discovery and this ride embodies all of that. From the hand-carved wooden horses and chariots to the historic craftsmanship, it fits seamlessly into our creative, one-of-a-kind aesthetic. It's playful, artistic, a little nostalgic, and completely magical – just like City Museum.”

— Eric Gilbert, City Museum General Manager (PR Newswire)

What’s next

The Antique Children's Carousel will be open to the public starting March 13, 2026, with special events planned for the first two weekends.

The takeaway

The addition of the historic, hand-carved Antique Children's Carousel further solidifies City Museum's reputation as a one-of-a-kind destination that blends art, imagination, and nostalgia to create magical experiences for visitors of all ages.