Keep the Horses Flying
Did you know this Merry-Go-Round and it’s “flying horses” have been in continuous operation since 1867? It takes time and resources to keep these legendary Merry-Go-Round horses flying! The salt from the ocean air, blowing sand and summer storms all take a toll on our hand-carved stable of horses.
At the end of the season, local artisans inspect each horse and repair them by hand, as needed. Fresh coats of paint, saddles, natural horsehair manes and glass eyes are all parts of the annual restoration process. Along with the preservation and restoration of the Merry-Go-Round structure itself, the yearly maintenance routine has remained the same since this Merry-Go-Round started flying 100 years ago.
It takes a small army of volunteers, community leaders and generous people like YOU to keep this National Treasure flying year after year!
No donation is too small, and we appreciate any gift amount to help us continue to preserve the Watch Hill Flying Horse Merry-Go-Round!
Thank you for your support.
WHMLIS MGR Retirement Celebration & Fundraising Campaign Kick Off
Our 2022 Campaign Kick Off to raise funds was a huge success!
Future projects may include, but are not limited to:
Annual Maintenance of the Merry-Go-Round Pieces & Parts:
Performed by three generations of the Anderson family, led by Gary Anderson, local Artisan & Woodcarver, his father, son & daughter. $15,000 - $20,000 per year.
Annual Maintenance of 40 Horse Herd:
Care can include new paint, leather, tack, gimp, tails, sulfide eyes, repair of cracked joints and broken legs. $1,000 per horse, per year. Some years more, some less. Remember, there are approximately 6000 riders per week!
Replica Horses:
12 replicas have been completed. By 2024, we hope to have the remaining 8 inside horses created, $15,000 per horse.
Original Horse Restoration:
Complete down to the wood restoration of inside and outside horses, $6,000 - $10,000 per horse as needed.
Winter Residence & Retirement Stable - Home for the Herd!
By 2025, we will have 40 active and retired horses in the herd. Locate and procure a climate-controlled winter stable and workshop for this growing herd! $20,000-$30,000 per year.
Museum:
The establishment of a Watch Hill Museum that will, among other things, be able to provide a permanent stable for the original and replica horses, consolidate archives, display historical information including photographs and a complete detail of the restoration process, as well as house a Museum for other Watch Hill history. This project needs dedicated funding to continue to research and develop a master plan and eventually prospectus to bring it to fruition. $25,000 for prospectus alone, not including the Museum, estimated in the millions.
*Please note, dollar amounts are estimates.