The Smithsonian Carousel is a wooden carousel from the 1940s. The sign on the carousel states that it's been on the present site, on the National Mall right outside of the Smithsonian Castle, since 1967, but he sign is actually from its old location in Baltimore. The carousel was actually installed here in the mid 70s, giving the National Mall a little bit more French flavor, as a nod to the Tuileries.
Here's a new book that tells the story of the Carousel that's currently at the Smithsonian -- and its surprising role in Civil Rights history:
ReplyDeleteROUND AND ROUND TOGETHER
Taking a Merry-Go-Round Ride into the Civil Rights Movement
by Amy Nathan
Here's a short video that tells about the book and the carousel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LovkKTVfNc
Here are other links about the book, which is available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and directly from the publisher (see below):
http://www.amynathanbooks.com/round_and_round_together_110129.htm
http://pauldrybooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PDB&Product_Code=230&Category_Code=FOR
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/amy-nathan-2/round-and-round-together/