Tag Archives: Nunley’s Carousel

Garden City, New York, U.S. August 16, 2022. A young girl and her mother ride on horses when historic Nunley's Carousel officially reopens after Covid-19 pandemic forced it to close in 2020. (© 2022 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Nunley’s Carousel Reopens with a Roar 2022

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
August 27, 2022

Nunley’s Carousel  sitefacebookMAP buy tickets
till 9/11/22: Thurs. thru Sun., 11 am – 4 pm

Lion & Horses & Chariot! Oh My!

VIDEO soundtrack: Billy Joel’s ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ on Nunley’s Carousel organ • FULL SCREEN: click lower right corner

What goes around (and around) has come around on Long Island this summer! 

We can once again enjoy Nunley’s Carousel, which recently reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic forced it to close in 2020.

The official ceremony on August 16th had speeches, a ribbon-cutting, and the ultimate fun treat for all – especially the many young children and their parents – a nostalgic ride on Nunley’s Carousel’s lion, 41 horses, and chariot. 

my Photo Gallery – Nunley’s Carousel reopens
(Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)

“Nunley’s

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN, at center, presides over the ribbon cutting ceremony when historic Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The carousel – now under the management of the Long Island Children’s Museum – is located in the Nunley’s Carousel glass pavilion on Museum Row in Garden City, It’s between LICM and the Cradle of Aviation Museum, which previously managed the carousel. 

If you’d like to ride the carousel this summer, be sure to visit by September 11th, since it will be closed from September 12 to October 4, 2022 for the Long Island Children’s Museum Fall Fix-Up. 

“Nunley’s

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. AARON, 2, of East Meadow, rides on a horse, with his mother holding him, when historic Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

During the ceremony, Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN shared childhood memories of Nunley’s.

Excerpts from his speech:

Let me tell you something, I was one of those kids that grew up at Nunley’s, and I grew up in Valley Stream, probably 4 1/2 – 5 miles from Nunley’s.

And on a Sunday, if we were really good, and my 3 sisters and brother, we would be treated to going to Nunley’s. And we would ride the roller coaster, and we’d ride the other rides.

And of course, the highlight was always the carousel, and it brings back so many childhood memories to be here today.

I just talked to so many people in the community who remember vividly the first time they went to Nunley’s and they used the carousel and they took all the rides,

And you know, this carousel right here is a real work of art. It’s over 110 years old, and the fact that we could restore it is really something special.

[….]

So I couldn’t be more pleased to be here today for the opening again of the Nunley’s Carousel, a place that brought me so many great memories, childhood memories.

I have 3 sisters and a brother. They live in Arizona now. They are gonna be so jealous when I send the photos today of that.

By the way, we got to go [to Nunley’s] if we got good grades and we behaved ourselves, so obviously my sisters got to go a lot more than I did….

Based on the laughs following Blakeman’s final comment, many related to it – I certainly did!

“Nunley’s

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN rides on the lion when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens.  (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Among those Blakeman thanked for attending:

“Nunley’s

Garden City, New York, U.S. August 7, 2012.  Nunley’s Carousel organ has panels above it decorated with paintings of Long Island landmarks and iconic scenes. (© 2012 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Nunley’s Carousel Wurlitzer 153 Band Organ

When the carousel first started, I was surprised the music was a recording of Billy Joel performing his ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ on the piano. Why wasn’t the organ playing his music?

  • During the ceremony, the carousel organ was set so it could only play off music rolls, not MIDI files (Musical Instrument Digital Interface files)
  • The midi was disconnected.
  • Blowers providing air for the organ were on.
  • The pump which provides air to play pipes, and to read the music roll as it passes over the tracker bar, was also on.
  • To play off the MIDI files, the pump has to be turned off, and the MIDI has to be reconnected.

I look forward to my grandchildren enjoying the full Nunley’s Carousel experience in the future: riding the magnificently carved and decorated carousel horses, lion, and chariot + hearing the carousel organ playing music.

“Nunley’s

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. L-R, BETH OBERGH, of Wantagh, and BOB STUHMER, of Garden City Park, chat when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Stuhmer arranged many of the songs the carousel organ plays. Obergh took care of and operated the carousel for 11 years until all carousel employees were laid off in 2020. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

When BILLY JOEL composed ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ he had BOB STUHMER arrange it for Nunley’s Carousel organ. Stuhmer – a member of AMICA (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association) and COAA (Carousel Organ Association of America) – gave Nunley’s a CD of music he arranged for its organ and professionally recorded on site. ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ is the first piece on the CD. (see above photo)

“Nunley’s

Garden City, New York, U.S. August 16, 2022. L-R, ANDREW PARTON, Cradle of Aviation Museum President • [LYNNE D’AGOSTINO, Ed.D., Long Island Children’s Museum Board Member] • SUZANNE LEBLANC, LICM President • BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive • GARY GRASSO, National Carousel Association Board Member • SCOTT BERMAN, LICM Board Chair • and DARCY BELYEA, Nassau County Commissioner of Parks; pose with carousel in background when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Blakeman holds Historic Carousel Award 2020 plaque presented to Nunley’s Carousel by NCA. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Historic Carousel Award 2020

GARY GRASSO, a board member of the National Carousel Association, presented the Historic Carousel Award 2020 to Nunley’s Carousel. NCA had been waiting since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Long Island to present the plaque. (see above photo)

That’s the ticket

Get useful, updated info here:  licm.org/nunleys

  • One ticket is $3 for members of Long Island Children Museum
  • One ticket is $4 for non-members
  • Ten-ticket packs are discounted

… and the Nunley’s Carousel experience is – wait for it – priceless!

“Nunley’s

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. FRAN PATERSON, of Poconos, Pennsylvania, represents the Nunley family when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Paterson, the great-niece of William Nunley, rode the lead horse, her favorite. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


Feature Photo (at top of post): Garden City, New York, U.S. August 16, 2022. A young girl and her mother ride on horses when historic Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com).


Nunley’s Carousel Reopens:  my PHOTO GALLERY

site: licm.org/nunleys

video: vimeo.com/annparry/nunleys2022

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Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. Unveiling ceremony of mural by painter Michael White, of close-up of a Nunley's Carousel horse, is held at historic Nunley's Carousel in its Pavilion on Museum Row on Long Island. © 2019 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com

Nunley’s Carousel Mural: Next Stop, Baldwin!

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
March 15, 2019

  • Photo Video with carousel music captures historic Nunley’s Carousel Mural Unveiling in Garden City, on Saturday night, March 9th: 


It’s not surprising that well over a hundred children and adults flocked to Nunley’s Carousel Pavilion for the Mural Unveiling Ceremony, and the free refreshments and carousel rides.

My parents brought my brothers and me to Nunley’s to ride the carousel, play miniature golf, and have pizza during the late 1950’s to 1960’s.

My daughters’ dad and I brought them to Nunley’s during its last ten years in Baldwin.

My grandson and granddaughter have each had a birthday party at Nunley’s Carousel in Museum Row in Garden City.

And that’s just a glimpse of how Nunley’s Carousel touched one multi-generational Long Island family.

Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. L-R, CAYLA KEMPF and her mom COLETTE KEMPF, from Maspeth, Queens, are riding carousel horses during Unveiling Ceremony of Nunley's Carousel mural. The Kempf family is related to a silent partner of the carousel's original owners, of Murphy's Carousel Company.

Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. L-R, CAYLA KEMPF and her mom COLETTE KEMPF, from Maspeth, Queens, are riding carousel horses during Unveiling Ceremony of Nunley’s Carousel mural. The Kempf family is related to a silent partner of the carousel’s original owners, of Murphy’s Carousel Company. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Michael White

Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. Artist MICHAEL WHITE stands in front of Nunley's Carousel during Unveiling Ceremony of his mural. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. Artist MICHAEL WHITE stands in front of Nunley’s Carousel during Unveiling Ceremony of his mural. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Artist Michael White, a Baldwinite, shared memories of Nunley’s and explained he chose to paint a closeup of the carousel’s lead horse – which wears a striking red, white and blue banner on its shoulder, and red roses in its mane – because the acrylic mural is 7 feet tall and about 5 feet wide, so including a vast scene such as the whole carousel wouldn’t make sense.

In Fit Shape

The mural has an uncommon shape – at first glance it looks like a rectangle, but it isn’t.

The mural’s base is wider than its top, and they’re parallel.

Its sides aren’t parallel, but are equal in length, and have equal angles where they reach the bottom.

In short, with the help of two long words, the mural is an isosceles trapezoid

White’s acrylic equine needs to be that shape to fit the permanent home it’s heading to soon.

Baldwin Bound

This spring, the mural is scheduled for an outdoor installation on a trestle pillar of the Baldwin LIRR Train Station, only a 1/3 mile from the location of Nunley’s Carousel & Amusement Park in Baldwin from 1940-1995.

If my brothers and I, or if my daughters, had headed northwest after a visit to Nunley’s Carousel in Baldwin, we could have walked to the Baldwin Station in the time it takes to play the above video twice.

Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. LAURA CURRAN, the Nassau County Executive, rides Nunley's Carousel carved wood lion during mural unveiling ceremony of Nunley's Carousel horse.(© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, USA. March 9, 2019. LAURA CURRAN, the Nassau County Executive, rides Nunley’s Carousel carved wood lion during mural unveiling ceremony of Nunley’s Carousel horse.(© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

On the Carousel of Time

County, town, and state elected officials; Baldwin non-profit organization officers and members, and LIRR rep attending the mural unveiling included:

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran
Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen
NYS Assemblywoman Judy Griffin

Baldwin Civic Association (BCA) reps included:
President Darien Ward
Corresponding Secretary Susan Cools
Beautification Committee Chair Rita Cavanagh

Baldwin Historical Society President Gary Farkash

LIRR Community Relations Representative Vanessa Lockel

During the mural unveiling ceremony, many of the above shared their memories, from those decades ago to recently, of Nunley’s Carousel.

  • Some people in Video at beginning of post (click name to see a photo):
Joanne Adams  Judy Griffin Cayla Kempf
Rita Cavanagh     Kelley Hochheiser Colette Kempf
John Cools     Maureen Lennon Andrew Obergh
Susan Cools    Vanessa Lockel Beth Obergh
Jean Smyth-Crocetto  Liam McGuire Bob Stuhmer
Laura Curran    Karen Montalbano Darien Ward
Gary Farkash  Gary Monti Michael White
Laura Gillen Debra Mulé

Feature Photo at top of post: Garden City, NY, USA. March 9, 2019. Rita Cavanagh (Baldwin Civic Assoc. Beautification Committee Chair) and Darien Ward (BCA President) look at mural that Ward and artist Michael White just uncovered at Unveiling Ceremony, at Nunley’s Carousel Pavilion.


Nunley’s Carousel Mural photos:  PHOTO GALLERY

my video:  Nunley’s Carousel Mural

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