In 2025, the components of an original 1917 Herschell carousel were generously donated to the Town of Vestal by The Old Village of Union Historical Society, in memory of Ted Warner. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Jeremiah Barnard (Vestal Park Supervisor), Tom Sullivan (Vestal Town Engineer), and Donnie Younker (Vestal Highway Superintendent), a comprehensive plan is now in place to bring this historic attraction to life.
While the Town has been awarded $525,000 in grants from New York State, our goal is to build and restore the carousel entirely through donations. To break ground on the carousel's housing structure, we need to bridge a funding gap of $153,000. Once these initial construction funds are secured, building will commence, and we will simultaneously launch our restoration fundraising campaign. We are incredibly grateful to have already been promised a substantial donation for the restoration phase; however, reaching our goal will require a true community effort to raise the necessary funds.
As with any major Town project, we are managing costs with the utmost care. True sustainability means planning not just for the initial build, but for the long-term upkeep. Fortunately, Vestal has a unique advantage: unlike other carousels in the area, this carousel cannot be formally declared a historic landmark. Because it will be newly constructed and operate like new, initial repairs will be minimized. More importantly, this non-historic status exempts the project from the rigid, highly restrictive regulations and extreme expenses that a historical designation forces upon maintenance and repairs.
Instead of being forced to hire specialized, high-priced outside companies for repairs and maintenance, our own incredibly qualified town personnel can handle a significant portion of the work. Our municipal team possesses a remarkably wide range of unique skills—spanning mechanics, engineering, construction, and restoration. While outside experts or specialized contractors may still be brought in for specific technical phases, our ability to utilize our talented internal team will keep ongoing operational costs exceptionally affordable for years to come.
For more information about the Vestal Carousel: CLICK HERE
Want to help bring the joy and history of a carousel back to Vestal?
To pledge a donation or share your support, reach out to the Friends of the Vestal Carousel. They are a passionate, volunteer-run nonprofit partnering closely with the Town of Vestal to bring this dream to life for our community. Contact information below.
The Friends of the Vestal Carousel:
To express your support, make a donation pledge, or request a free newsletter, email them at:
To follow them:
Facebook:(www.facebook.com/vestalcarousel)
Instagram (@vestalcarousel)
To donate:
Via credit card, Venmo, or Apple Pay:
Donate on the Givebutter donation platform
at: https://givebutter.com/friends-of-the-vestal-carousel-3vxcju
By mail:
Friends of the Vestal Carousel
c/o The Pad Climbing Binghamton
220 Vestal Road
Vestal, NY 13850
(Please make checks payable to: Friends of the Vestal Carousel)
Thank you to all the volunteers in the Friends of the Vestal Carousel, working to make the Vestal Carousel a reality!