C.W. Parker Carousel Museum & Gift Shop
Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Groups of 20 or more can arrange for a private tour during the week.
320 S. Esplanade Street, Leavenworth, KS
(913) 682-1331
Leavenworth’s #1 attraction opened in 2005 and features a newly restored, fully operational 1913 C.W. Parker carousel, originally made in Leavenworth by the C.W. Parker Carousel Amusement Company. The carousel was created during the period when this company was famous nationally and internationally for its unique amusement devices. Also on display is the oldest primitive carousel in the United States and a 1950s aluminum Paul Parker Carousel.
Self-guided tour: $5. Guided tour plus carousel ride: $6. Carousel rides only: $1.50 each, four for $4 or a 20-ride punch card for $20. Allow 90 minutes for tours.
WHO WE ARE
Owned and operated by the Leavenworth Historical Museum Association, the museum is 100% run by volunteers. If you would like information about volunteering a few hours every week or month, please contact the Association today at (913) 682-1866.
OUR HISTORY
In 1892 Parker bought a used Armitage/Herschell track machine and operated it until 1894, when he built his own track machine and started the C.W. Parker factory in Abilene, KS.
Parker went from track machine to the jumping carousels, from steam to electric. The carving on the horses began to get more fanciful through the years as he continued to grow. By 1905, Parker had four full-sized carnivals on tour throughout the country.
In 1911, Parker began moving to a new much larger factory he was building in Leavenworth. This is where he built hundreds of small traveling carousels that were used by carnivals worldwide. He also built five large, extravagant "park" machines designed to be permanently installed in large amusement parks. Only one of those five is still in existence, and soon to be back in operation at The National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles, OR.
Learn all about C.W. Parker and more at the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum and Gift Shop.
