The Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Society> may think it owns the Flying Horses. And of course we’re glad the living history group is under that impression. Who among us wants to start our day with, “Honey, the Wurlitzer is broken, can you spray it with WD-40 and bang the pipes?” But yes, we do individually own the 125-plus-year-old carousel. It nestles in our memories and is tucked into our hearts.
And now it’s spring again and the merry-go-round is open on weekends. Over Easter it cranked out its first ride and organ standard.
Since the age of two Satonya Hill has made her yearly visit to ride her favorite golden horse at the Flying Horses carousel in Oak Bluffs. Part of the magic for Satonya and her family was that every time her friends took their first ride on the Flying Horses, they would catch the brass ring.
Mr. F. O. Gordon of New York, is to erect a carousel at the rear of the skating rink. The pavilion will contain not only the revolving horses, but will be fitted up as a first-class place for affording light entertainment.
A crowd gathered at the Flying Horses this weekend for the grand reopening to catch a glimpse of the work done during the off-season, and to get a chance at catching the coveted brass ring. The Flying Horses Carousel, which is on the National Historic Landmark registry, is the nation’s oldest platform carousel.