Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum takes part in annual Smithsonian Museum Day

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is a proud participant in the ninth annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Museum Day helps make museums more accessible to visitors across the country.

Last year's event drew more than 400,000 museumgoers, and this year is anticipated to draw record-high attendance. This year's Museum Day is Saturday, Sept. 28. The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum will be open between noon and 4 p.m.

If you've always wanted to check out the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, or come back for a repeat visit, this is the time. Enjoy the museum's exhibits on woodcarving and band organs, displays of antique carrousel horses, and hands-on children's gallery all at no charge.

The museum's new outdoor "Kiddieland Testing Park" will also be open for this event, weather permitting. This addition to the museum interprets a major part of the Allan Herschell Company's later history, when small metal rides for children were the top seller. The Kiddieland Testing Park brings this history to life through four refurbished kiddie rides from the factory's postwar, baby boom era, as well as a picnic pavilion and admissions house. The rides consist of miniature cars and fire engines; a horse and pony cart; helicopters that lift into the sky; and floating boats.

Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download a free Museum Day admission card. Each card provides free museum access for two people; limit one card per household. One must present a Museum Day admission card in order to receive free admission.One ride token is included with each free admission, and is good for the 1916 Allan Herschell full-size carrousel or the 1940s kiddie carrousel, as well as any of the outdoor kiddie rides. Additional ride tokens can be purchased for 50 cents each.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is housed in the historic Allan Herschell Company Factory building at 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda. For directions and further information about special events, programs or group tours, visit www.carrouselmuseum.org, call 716-693-1885 or email [email protected].