As Cheyenne Mountain Zoo celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, one of its most cherished icons is receiving a level of attention and care unlike any in its century-long history.
The Zoo’s 1926 Allan Herschell carousel, a beloved fixture that has delighted generations of members and guests, will remain closed likely through the summer, as experts undertake a comprehensive assessment and restoration project designed to preserve the ride for decades to come.
“This carousel means a lot to our community because it’s been part of so many family memories,” Justin Weis, vice president of facility operations at CMZoo, says. “We understand people are disappointed that they won’t be able to ride it this summer. We feel that same disappointment, and we’re making this investment because we understand so many have special connections with this treasure.”
While the closure will disappoint some guests, the decision reflects a long-term commitment to protecting an important piece of both Zoo and Colorado Springs history. The project began with what Justin describes as “exploratory surgery.”
In early June, the carousel was carefully dismantled piece by historic piece by Zoo staff and restoration experts. The process will allow specialists to thoroughly inspect the ride’s mechanical systems, identify the best solutions for known issues, and uncover any additional concerns that may be hidden within the carousel’s aging infrastructure.
“We know there are some things that need attention,” Justin says. “What we don’t want to do is simply fix the symptoms. We want to understand the whole machine. The only way to do that is to carefully take it apart, lay everything out, and ask experts to evaluate each component.”
The effort follows observations that the carousel has been operating slightly “out of circle,” meaning it is no longer rotating perfectly around its intended axis.
“When the carousel goes around, it should be perfectly round,” Justin says. “Right now, it’s making more of an egg shape. That puts strain on gears, bearings, support structures and other components. It doesn’t mean the carousel is beyond repair. It means it’s past time to take a closer look. Our goal is to restore the carousel properly, not just patch it together.”
Known issues include cracking bearings and concerns surrounding a previous repair to the carousel’s center pole. But until the ride is fully disassembled, Zoo staff won’t know the full scope of the work ahead.
CMZoo President & CEO, Dave Ruhl, with CMZoo’s board of directors’ support, is committed to supporting Justin, his team, and the experts in whatever they need to repair the carousel.
“This isn’t just about repairing a ride,” Dave says. “This carousel has been part of the story of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Colorado Springs for nearly 100 years. If we were building a carousel today, we’d likely spend well over a million dollars to create something this special. The good news is that we already have one. Just as we’ve thoughtfully modernized animal habitats and infrastructure throughout the Zoo, we’ll do what it takes to preserve the experience people love while making sure the systems behind the scenes are ready for the future. This carousel is worthy of that care.“
That approach reflects a broader philosophy embraced by the Zoo’s leadership team to shift from reactive repairs to a more proactive preservation strategy.
“Once we address these concerns, Dave strongly believes preventative maintenance is the best path forward,” Justin says. “Instead of waiting for interruptions or failures, we want to get ahead of issues and create a program that keeps this carousel operating reliably for years to come.”
The Zoo already follows a rigorous annual maintenance schedule for the carousel’s horses and benches, which are inspected and repaired as needed. Starting with this thorough examination and repairs, Justin and his team will lead a similarly comprehensive annual program for the ride’s mechanical systems.
“Before a big road trip, you take your car in and ask someone to give it the best chance for success,” Justin says. “That’s essentially what we want to do for our carousel, every year. Instead of having unexpected interruptions, we plan to thoroughly inspect the carousel in January, identifying any maintenance issues prior to our Spring Break season. The goal would be to take the time in January and February every year to ensure consistent operation by Spring Break.”
The Zoo has partnered with WRF Designs, a Connecticut-based restoration company that has specialized in historic carousel preservation for more than three decades. While the Zoo’s facilities team maintains everything from animal habitats to historic buildings, Justin says carousel restoration requires a unique skill set.
“These are incredibly unique machines,” he says. “The Zoo is full of amazing experts, but we’re not historic carousel experts. There are only a handful of people who dedicate their careers to preserving these rides. We wanted the very best people helping us make decisions.”
Many replacement components for antique carousels must be custom manufactured and carefully fitted. Certain repairs also require review and approval through organizations that own the rights associated with Allan Herschell carousels.
“You can’t buy these parts off the shelf,”Justin says. “The pieces have to be designed, built, and installed correctly so the carousel remains safe and true to its history.”
The carousel’s history stretches back nearly a century. Built around 1926 by the Allan Herschell Company in North Tonawanda, New York, the portable carousel is believed to have operated at the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago before Zoo founder Spencer Penrose acquired it and brought it to CMZoo in 1937.
Since then, generations of guests have ridden its hand-carved horses, making it one of the Zoo’s most recognizable attractions. Today, it remains listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.
Its longevity is remarkable, Justin says, but also a reminder that preservation requires ongoing care.
“We’ve moved it, taken it apart, and put it back together multiple times throughout its life,” he says. “If you think about a pizza, all the pieces fit together perfectly at first. But every time you take a slice out and put it back, there’s a little wear. After so many years, you need to step back and make sure everything fits together exactly the way it should.”
Despite the uncertainty that comes with a project of this scale, Justin remains optimistic.
“I really believe we can do this,” he says. “I feel confident we’ve got the right partners, the right support from leadership, and the right commitment from our board. The question isn’t whether we want to preserve this carousel. We absolutely do.”
What remains unknown is exactly how much work will be required and how long the restoration will take. For now, the carousel’s horses and benches are being moved into warm storage while experts begin their assessment. The platform and mechanical components will remain on-site as the examination proceeds.
“We don’t have a reopening timeline yet, and that’s because we want to be honest with our guests,” Justin says. “The responsible thing to do is understand exactly what we’re working with before we make promises.”
As the Zoo celebrates its centennial, leaders see the project as an investment not only in a historic ride, but in the experiences it creates. For Justin, the project is personal.
“I remember riding this carousel as a kid,” he says. “For a lot of people in Colorado Springs, it’s part of their story. We want to make sure the next generation can come here, climb onto those horses, and make memories of their own.”
The music may be paused for now, but the work underway is focused on ensuring the carousel continues spinning for generations to come.