Historic Hampton Carousel staying at current location

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – After months of consideration, the Hampton City Council decided, during a June 14 meeting, that the historic Hampton Carousel is staying put — at least for now.

Mayor Donnie Tuck read a statement on behalf of the city council Wednesday night, saying it was “premature at this time” to consider moving the historic attraction.

The carousel has been located next to the Virginia Air & Space Center on Settlers Landing Road since 1991.

It has been closed for sometime now, due to much needed repairs.

Built in 1920 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, it was an amusement attraction at the Buckroe Beach Amusement Park until 1985. Its 48 hand-carved wooden horses and two hand-carved wooden chariots moved to its current location.

As part of Downtown Hampton Development Partnership’s future vision for downtown, a recommendation came to move the carousel from the park so it could be redeveloped for more green space and allow for the carousel to be better protected from flooding.

Five options were ultimately proposed and City Council had several rounds of public comment.

During the council’s last briefing, City Communication Manager Robin McCormick said people were passionate about keeping the carousel at its current location.

“The vast majority of people said it should belong in its current location,” McCormick said. “They cited the triple draw of the Hampton History Museum, air and space, and carousel make it ideal for school trips and for families.”

During Wednesday night’s meeting, dozens more spoke.

However, despite accurate reporting in the press, many came with assertions that the carousel was going to be taken away.

City Manager Mary Bunting, Vice Mayor Jimmy Gray, Councilman Steven Brown and Tuck all expressed disappointment with some of the rhetoric surrounding the issue.

Tuck said it become an “us vs them” situation with some people believing the carousel would be taken away permanently.

“To date, council and citizens have not been presented with a formal plan for potential redevelopment for (Carousel Park,)” he said. “However, the council has set aside (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to be used to make improvements and add resilient enhancements to Carousel Park. And we intend to move forward with those efforts with the carousel in its current location.”