PHOTOS: Children's Museum Carousel through the years
The carousel's official name is the Broad Ripple Park Carousel. Built in 1917, it used to be part of a theme park next to the White River.Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
It was created by the Gustav A. Dentzel carousel company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
It ran in Broad Ripple until 1956, when the roof collapsed. It stopped working, and was dismantled and stored away.Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
A few years later, Mildred Compton, the director of the Children's Museum, contacted the city to see what happened to the carousel.Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
It took some work, but Compton was able to get the animals from the park department in 1969. They were restored by a team in Cincinnati.Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The carousel was put in the Children's Museum, which was under construction at the time.Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
A girder from the museum's top floor had to be removed in order to make room for the carousel. Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
On July 25, the carousel celebrated its 100th birthday.Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
There are 42 animals on the carousel, including horses, giraffes, goats and one lion. All the animals are from the original Broad Ripple Park Carousel, except one horse.Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The carousel is one of about 45 Indiana places recognized as a National Historic Landmark, with company such as the Athenaeum, Hinkle Fieldhouse and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Thousands of people have ridden the carousel over the years. In the photo, Jane Pauley and David Letterman take a ride. Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
First Lady Betty Ford took a spin in 1976. The Secret Service requested she ride a more stable animal, due to her bad back at the time (Something she was bitter about, the museum says).Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Courtesy Children's Museum of Indianapolis