Berkshire Carousel Inc.

General information

The Berkshire Carousel is a community project that has created an authentic classic wooden carousel that is both a work of art and a wonderful form of family entertainment. The Berkshire Carousel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization.

The Berkshire Carousel is Massachusetts largest moving art project. Our volunteer builders, carvers, sanders, and painters have worked over 1800 hours on each beautiful horse. We have 39 horses and 1 Donkey in total amount of carousel figures.

The project has involved hundreds of volunteers from Berkshire County who are carved, sanded, and painted the carousel ponies and creating the artwork to be featured on the ride.

The Berkshire Carousel is the most ambitious and largest permanent artwork ever created in the Berkshires. The Carousel completed and is has opened for business on July 1, 2016. The Berkshire Carousel is located in Pittsfield, MA.

The ride is 38 feet in diameter with 14 sections. Eleven sections all have three ponies across, all being jumpers that move up and down. Three of the sections will have chariots with seats, one wheelchair accessible, one a rocking chariot design, and one will be a spinning tub design.

All the ponies have been hand carved by volunteers working with professional carvers. The ponies are being modeled after classical figures made in the USA during the Golden Age of Carousels (1880 - 1930). The ponies will reflect the styles of the major carvers of the time period.

Some saddle and trim trappings reflect the wishes of the sponsors of the ponies. The cost of building the carousel is being financed through sponsors and donations, and a grant.

The Berkshire Carousel will has rounding boards at the top with murals to be designed and painted by very talented volunteer artists. These will depict scenes of our theme, the beautiful and historic Berkshires.

The finished carousel will also have areas for concessions, gifts, novelties, exhibit space and restrooms. With the size of this structure, Berkshire Carousel will be able to operate year round, hold events and have concessions and gift areas. Two additional phases will be built for storage, events and office space.

The Berkshire Carousel offers affordable fun family entertainment for all ages. We offer Birthday Parties, Event Parties, Event Rentals, a place for you to have private wedding or a corporate event. We also have art and educational programs for elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, private schools, home schools, and college students. We also offer art classes for adults and seniors. We have a Workshop that offers commissioned works, Restoration / Repair Work on carousel figures, and other projects as well.

How can you get involved? How to participate in this wonderful experience? Help us run our beautiful carousel... now accepting new volunteers...

Become a volunteer....
Help us run our beautiful carousel. We are looking for: Carousel Operator Assistants, Carousel Concession Stand Staff, Carousel Token Sales Staff, and Little Green Gift Shop Staff. Also if you would like to help with grounds & garden maintenance please let us know.

Come in and help in the creation process! Learn how to carve, sand carousel ponies. We also need volunteers to help us run the carousel, help with our fund raising events and parties. Find out more information today...Visit the Carousel workshop and sign up!

Be an educational volunteer....
Ask about helping us with our educational programs. We provide educational programs for grades K-12, college collaborative, private schools, and field trips.

Become a Carousel Sponsor....
Sponsor a pony, rounding board, or chariot that will be on the ride.

Become a member of the Berkshire Carousel Legacy Society...
Consider making a gift to the carousel through a life insurance policy, IRA, a retirement account, an estate plan, or will.

Your generosity will ensure the preservation of the carousel for future generations to enjoy and share with their families.