C. W. Parker Carousel Museum

Learn about the C.W. Parker Carousel company and ride on the fully restored century-old carousels.

C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is located in Leavenworth, Kansas, and is managed by Leavenworth Historical Museum Associations. It is open from 11 am to 5 pm  Thursday through Saturday. On Sunday, the museum is open from 1 pm to 5 pm. Those who wish to browse the museum exhibits are able to enter for free. Participation in guided tours and carousel rides requires an admission fee. Tours are usually about 1 to 2 hours long.

Open to the public since 2005; the building is a wide-open area that can accommodate large groups. The museum houses historical exhibits and artifacts, which depict C.W Parker's life work and dedication to this unique field. Visitors will learn about the history of carousels and carnivals. The C.W. Parker Carousel  Museum is home to two newly restored and fully operational century-old carousels. The oldest primitive carousel in the U.S resides here.

C.W. Parker started his work with track machines in 1892-1894 then changed his career to focus on carnival rides and carousels. In 1911, he moved his company from Abilene, Kansas, to a larger factory in Leavenworth, Kansas. He focused his work on building hundreds of smaller carousels designed to travel worldwide and other amusement park rides at this larger factory. C.W. Parker also designed extravagant permanent carousels that are able to stay in amusement parks throughout the world. He is famous for creating jumping carousels, steam, electric rides, and repairs and rebranding carnival rides. Have a blast at this unique museum in Leavenworth, Kansas.