BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Heritage Carousel announced Monday, that sustainable energy will power the carousel at Canalside. The building that will house the vintage carousel will soon have a solar roof, which is being donated and installed by Tesla's Buffalo factory.
Laurie Hauer-LaDuca, president of the Buffalo Heritage Carousel, released a statement saying in part, “With the support of Tesla, this rare and historic carousel will be powered by the sun and will offer a new family recreational and educational attraction located along the boardwalk."
The Buffalo Heritage Carousel also gave an update Monday, regarding the carousel restoration, saying work is nearly complete. Local artists are said to be finishing work on the carousel rounding board paintings. Meanwhile, a company in Ohio is almost done restoring the carousel frame and mechanism, and a national carousel restoration artist is finishing work painting the interior scenery panels and custom carved chariots.
A North Tonawanda company is also assisting with the restoration process. The Buffalo Heritage Carousel says the Allan Herschell Company is currently replicating original factory horseshoes and stirrups.
The Buffalo Heritage Carousel says final details of installing glass faceted jewels, horsehair tails and factory horseshoes are in the works.
The carousel itself was built at the Herschell-Spillman factory in North Tonawanda back in 1924, but then went into storage for 80 years.
The carousel was supposed to open in July, but construction was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's now expected to be up and running by the spring. Rides will cost $1 each.