International Museum of Carousel Art, Carousel art museum in Hood River, Oregon
The International Museum of Carousel Art in Hood River is home to over 110 hand-carved wooden animals, including horses, lions, tigers, and other creatures from diverse carving traditions and time periods. The collection features pieces from Europe and America that showcase different handcraft styles developed across many decades.
The museum was founded in 1983 after Duane and Carol Perron restored a 1914 carousel and began gathering additional pieces for their collection. This private effort grew into an institution that documented carousel art as a significant artistic tradition.
The collection shows how carousel art connects different cultures and how people have valued these handcrafted animals across generations. Each piece tells a story about the craftsmanship and taste of a specific time and place.
Visitors should know the museum closed in 2010 and is not regularly open to the public anymore. It is worth checking ahead if it opens for special occasions or private viewings.
What makes the collection special is that some carousel horses have eyes inlaid with gemstones, giving these figures a precious quality that sets them apart. Some of the most valuable pieces come from historic circus wagons and still carry traces of their adventurous past.
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