Local Voices: A Carrousel Carver’s Story

Need to see a man about a carrousel horse? Look no further than expert woodcarver and Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum board member Doug Bathke. Step into the world of carrousels with Doug and learn how to have the best museum experience.

Doug Bathke is a founding member and current board member of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum in North Tonawanda, which celebrates the town’s storied history of carrousel-making, dating back to 1873 . “I’ve held every office at the museum — except treasurer,” he says. Nearly 45 years ago, he was part of a 10-person committee that sat around a table discussing the possibility of bringing a carrousel back to the community. This turned into a museum that is beloved by thousands of visitors every year.

Pictured: Doug Bathke

North Tonawanda produced more hand-carved carrousels than all other carrousel-producing U.S. cities combined. The city’s history is rooted in carrousels. “It took about 300-350 hours to make one horse,” Bathke says. Apprentices, journeymen and master carvers made specific body parts and they would each lend their skills to build a full horse. The end result was 1.5 horses per man per day. If a buyer wanted different animals, the price would go up because the carvers would have to learn how to make a new animal. “We actually have a lion in our collection,” Bathke says. “It weighs 350 pounds.

By the 1980s, as demand for carrousels dwindled, people began buying them as art investments. “We used to have about 350 full antique carrousels in the U.S. available to the public,” Bathke says. “Now we’re down to 125.”

Carving out space

Almost 60 years ago, Bathke followed his wife from central Wisconsin to her hometown of Lockport and the pair have lived in the area ever since. Following a lifelong hobby, he applied to be a woodcarving instructor and has been teaching woodcarving classes — along with industrial arts and world history — ever since. “I was taught the art of woodcarving by an elderly lady in my hometown,” Bathke says. “Every Saturday afternoon, I would go to her house and she taught me how to read the grain and use the tools.”

Nowadays, he teaches woodcarving classes at the Herschell Carrousel Museum. His top advice for folks interested in woodcarving:

  1. You don’t have to be a drawing artist, but it would help you to know how to visualize three-dimensional shapes.
  2. Hone your tools every time you use them.
  3. Don’t be afraid to take material away.

When he’s not teaching classes, Bathke likes to get nosy in the museum’s archives. He recently discovered that the Herschell–Spillman Motor Company started making car engines in the early 20th century to adapt to the emergence of automobiles. This discovery led the museum to purchase a 1928 car with an H-S motor for their collection. This will be on view to the public after restoration.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum employees and volunteers take good care of their carrousels, which is why they allow the public to ride them. Bathke is particularly excited to see the "Big" 1916 Number One Special Carrousel spin round once again (it has been closed for restoration). “This year, we’ll have the entire decorative trim work completed, so it will look just like it did in 1916,” he says.

Bathke’s tips for getting the most out of a visit to the museum? Take your time. Stop to read all the details. Don’t worry about riding specific horses — everything is fun.

I really enjoy seeing people’s eyes light up when they go for a ride.
Doug Bathke

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