Birmingham Zoo Reinstalls Historic Carousel Figures

The zoo is actively reassembling its restored 36-piece wooden carousel after a multi-year project.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Wildlife

Bold vector illustration of a wooden carousel horse with thick dark outlines, rendered in sage and coral, symbolizing antique restoration. — The Birmingham Zoo has begun reinstalling its 36 hand-crafted carousel figures after a multi-year restoration process to repair historic wooden components. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Birmingham Zoo has begun the installation of its hand-crafted wooden carousel figures following a restoration process in Ashland, Ohio. Most of the 36 figures have been returned to the site, with the zoo aiming to have the ride fully operational by late November.

Why it matters

The carousel underwent a prolonged removal process to address necessary repairs on its wooden components. The project experienced significant delays due to the scarcity of specialized expertise required for antique carousel restoration.

The carousel features 36 hand-crafted wooden figures, with most now back in place on their poles. The zoo reported 3,000 visitors on October 12, the same day the first restored animals arrived on-site.

The players

Birmingham Zoo

This is a zoological park located in Birmingham that serves as a center for animal conservation and public recreation.

Carousel Relics

This is a specialty restoration firm based in Ashland, Ohio, that focuses on the repair and preservation of antique carousel figures.

The details

Restoration experts at Carousel Relics performed intensive repairs on the figures, which included stripping old paint, fixing joints with epoxy, repainting, and applying clear-coats. These pieces are now being carefully reinstalled within the zoo's designated carousel area.

The carousel was originally installed at the zoo in 2002.
The zoo removed the figures for restoration in July 2023.
The first restored animal figures arrived on October 12, 2026.
Most figures were installed on their poles by October 19, 2026.
The zoo expects the carousel to be fully running by November 21, 2026.

Culture Shift

The ongoing restoration project highlights a growing societal commitment to preserving classic amusement heritage. This trend values the maintenance of tangible historic attractions over the constant replacement of ride technology.

Families visiting the zoo can expect to see the progress of the carousel installation as the remaining figures arrive. The ride is slated to resume operations for guests by November 21, 2026.

The takeaway

Preserving complex wooden structures requires highly specialized skills that can lead to long wait times for repairs. Visitors should check the official zoo status before planning trips specifically to ride historic attractions during restoration phases.