Tag Archives: Spillman carousel

Grand Rapids Public Museum unveils new carousel feature for wheelchair accessibility

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The ongoing GRPM renovation is the first since the Museum opened at its current location in 1994 (Carousel rendering courtesy of GRPM)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


When riverfront construction at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is complete later this year, its Cook Carousel Pavilion will be transformed into a fully-accessible space both inside and out. The 1928 Spillman Carousel, an icon of both the Museum and downtown Grand Rapids, is housed in the Pavilion and will feature a wheelchair-accessible ramp and chariot to allow individuals with mobility devices to ride the Carousel.

  • The carousel upgrades include a wheelchair accessible bench (Courtesy, GRPM)
  • The carousel upgrades include a wheelchair accessible bench (Courtesy, GRPM)
  • GRPM carousel upgrades (Courtesy, GRPM)
  • ADA chariot concept drawing GRPM Carousel Upgrades (Courtesy, GRPM) (Courtesy, GRPM)

“The Museum is committed to making all of its experiences as accessible and inclusive as possible,” said GRPM President and CEO Dale Robertson. “We’ve collaborated with community partners, including Disability Advocates of Kent County, to ensure the Museum remains focused on creating a welcoming and adaptive space for everyone.”

The GRPM’s $50 million expansion project, which began last year, will expand access, experiences, accessibility, and sustainability through enhancements to the Museum and its prominent space on the Grand River.

A rendering of the planned carousel upgrades (Courtesy, GRPM)

A cherished destination

The GRPM is a 170-year-old, publicly-owned institution home to more than 250,000 unique artifacts that tell the history of Kent County and beyond. Funded in part by Kent County taxpayers through a 10-year millage (2016), the GRPM offers three floors of exhibits, the region’s only planetarium, and extensive educational offerings.

The major renovation is the first since the Museum opened at its current location in 1994.

New GRPM outdoor classroom rendering (Courtesy, GRPM)

“The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a cherished destination for many,” said Disability Advocates of Kent County Executive Director Dave Bulkowski. “The addition of the wheelchair-accessible ramp and chariot on the Carousel will provide those who have not been able to previously ride the Carousel a chance to experience that sense of joy and admiration.

“We are proud to partner with the Museum and support our community’s efforts to provide inclusive and welcoming destinations for all our residents and visitors.”

Learn more!

For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees including Kent County discounts, and exhibit/event listings, visit grpm.org.

Photo of the Week: Round and Round on the Merry-Go-Rounds

Citizen Journalism, ,
Photo from the Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections

This photo is from the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s digital collections and depicts a carousel, which compared to other photos, is probably one that once stood at Ramona Park (now the Gaslight Village area in East Grand Rapids.) The Ramona Park carousel was owned by the McElwee brothers and installed in 1909 at the park. Interestingly, one of the organs from the carousel, called Big Bertha, is located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort restaurant.

We selected this picture in honor of the restoration of the Grand rapids Public Museum’s 1928 Spillman Carousel. The nearly 100-year-old artifact has been undergoing a major renovation which began in 2017, requiring the Carousel to be dismantled and rebuilt. Starting on Wednesday, May 25, the Spillman Carousel will once again be operating in the Cook Carousel Pavilion located at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. While the carousel will be operational, restoration work will continue on carousel. To follow the restoration process, click here.