Support the Renovation of the Iconic 1928 Spillman Carousel at the Grand rapids PUblic Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is seeking your support for the renovation of their 1928 Spillman Carousel. The iconic 1928 Spillman Carousel is housed above the Grand River in the Cook Carousel Pavilion at the GRPM and has been ridden by hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Museum - including families, students, wedding guests and more - since its installation at the Van Andel Museum Center in 1994.
The nearly 100-year-old 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 initial steps toward restoring 53 horses and menagerie animals and two chariots. In February of 2020, the Spillman Carousel was closed temporarily for these necessary upgrades and repairs to continue. Through the continued generous support of the Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation, the GRPM has been able to launch the renovation, and additional community support is necessary to complete the project. The Cook Foundation will provide a 2:1 match for donations up to $300,000; for every dollar donated, the Cook Foundation will contribute $2 towards the 1928 Spillman Carousel renovation project.
“The Spillman Carousel is a community treasure that began with a community led initiative to purchase and bring it cross country to be a part of our Collections and the overall Museum experience. Now, almost 30 years later, we are in process of a major renovation to keep this treasured artifact working for generations to come,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “We are grateful for the continued support of the Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation, through their support, and many others, we are creating memories that last for lifetimes and sparking joy and curiosity in all ages.”
The GRPM’s 1928 Spillman Carousel was manufactured by Spillman Engineering of North Tonawanda, N.Y. in 1928. It is one of only three of its style ever produced. Fueled by a desire to have a carousel be a part of the new Museum building in the early 1990s, some businessmen, including Peter C. Cook, and the community led an effort to bring this Spillman Carousel to Grand Rapids. The leadership and vision of this group is recognized in the Cook Carousel Pavilion.
“Peter C. Cook was known as a man with a big heart and a bigger smile,” said Carrie Boer with the Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation. “The Carousel provides the glow of childhood and a glimpse of history. What a winning combination! Peter led the way, and we are proud to follow with support for this special Grand Rapids jewel.”
The Museum is now seeking community support in a fundraising campaign to contribute to the expenses for the Spillman Carousel renovation. To show your support for this iconic artifact of the GRPM and the West Michigan community, you may donate at givebutter.org/GRPMcarousel; you can also create a fundraising team and share with family and friends. The Museum is also seeking sponsorships for the project which include exclusive benefits such as the first rides on the renovated Spillman Carousel. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please visit grpm.org/Carousel or contact Stephanie Szymas at sszymas@grpm.org.
“The Grand Rapids Public Museum looks forward to welcoming the community back to the Carousel when the project completion is at the point where it can be ridden again,” said Kate Kocienski, the GRPM’s Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. “As work continues on the Carousel over the coming months, we encourage the community to follow the progress through our website and social media pages.”
The Museum is planning for a reopening of the Carousel when the major upgrades are complete, even though the full renovation of the animals will take an additional two years to be finished. When the Carousel reopens, it will be equipped with bilingual signage and instructional recordings, as well as additional communication features for those who are blind or low vision or deaf or hard of hearing. Ongoing and future updates include the creation of a wheelchair accessible chariot (slated 2023 opening) and the integration of a ramp incline for access. Additionally, Museum staff have been busy over the last year working on stripping, repairing, sanding and repainting some of the animals. The full renovation and restoration of the menagerie animals of the Carousel will take years to complete, and the Museum will continue to swap out animals to keep the Carousel running during this continued work following its reopening. To follow along with the updates to the 1928 Spillman Carousel, please visit: grpm.org/Carousel.
