GRPM 's 1928 Spillman Carousel
The GRPM’s 1928 Spillman Carousel has been housed in the Cook Carousel Pavilion overlooking the Grand River for the last 27 years. It is an iconic piece of downtown Grand Rapids and a family favorite that has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors during this time.
Almost 100 years old, the Spillman Carousel began going through a much needed renovation in 2017, which includes mechanical and electrical upgrades, installation of 1,200 LED light bulbs, band organ repairs, and restoration of 53 horses and menagerie animals and two chariots. The project also includes several safety and accessibility upgrades.
The GRPM looks forward to reopening the Carousel in the near future, but until then there is still much work to be done! While the Carousel is currently in the reinstallation process, let’s explore what the GRPM team has been working on over the past few months to help renovate this treasured artifact.
Stripping the Paint off the 1928 Spillman Carousel Animals with Dave.
While some components of the 1928 Spillman Carousel were shipped to carousel experts to repair and upgrade, the Museum team has been busy beginning to restore the Carousel animals by hand, onsite at the Museum. Yes, by hand!
Previously, the animals were painted with automotive paint, so the Museum team has been stripping the paint down to bare wood. Once the wood is exposed, team members were able to evaluate any damage on the animals, including cracks, dents & seams splitting in the foundation from normal wear and tear. As needed, the team has been repairing any broken limbs and accessories on all of the animals to ensure a safe riding experience for visitors, as well as pristine visual presentation!
Painting the 1928 Spillman Carousel Animals with Stevie.
Time to paint! The GRPM team was very intentional with keeping the newly painted Carousel animals as close to the original paint colors from the 1994 restoration, as possible. In order to do that, the team took documentation pictures of the animals to color match the original oil based paint to the water based paint. The team also traced the saddle patterns and decorative details to replicate with the new water based paint.
The first step is to apply a base coat of primer, followed by a base coat of color. Hand painting showcases the craftsmanship of the muscular structure and the detailed work that was put into the original animals. Hand painting with water based mural paint and the glazing & stippling allows the team to easily fix in the future when needed, without removing the animals from the Carousel to do this work.
Striping a 1928 Spillman Carousel Horse with Becky.
Striping is a technique where you use a striping brush to make more fine linework and edging. This process can be very tedious; the correct amount of paint has to be applied to create clean, even and solid lines. Becky did two layers of striping on this Carousel horse!
Making Jewels with Carlos.
Carousel animals aren’t complete without the bling! Fun fact – one side of each animal is called the “romance” side. This side of the animal contains more elaborate carvings and decorations, including vibrant jewels. Throughout the restoration process, the GRPM team has been making the jewels by hand! Using a very intricate mix of epoxy along with other materials, this process creates the ideal consistency of liquid, suitable to fit the jewel molds.
Coming Soon!
The 1928 Spillman Carousel renovation is an ongoing project and the Museum continuously strives to ensure that all of its experiences are accessible and inclusive to the broadest population possible. The update will include bilingual signage and instructional recordings, as well as additional communication features for those who are blind or visually impaired or are deaf or hard of hearing.
Future upgrades will include the creation of a wheelchair accessible chariot and the integration of a ramp for access as the Museum.
Help ensure the GRPM can offer the timeless 1928 Spillman Carousel experience to visitors of all ages for years to come? Join us today to support the Spillman Carousel project with a financial donation.