Placer County Museums Online Exhibits

A Leap of Imagination

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The following is an online archive of our newest exhibit in the Placer County Museum Treasury.

Click on photos to see larger versions

The emotional and romantic appeal of the carousel

rests in the saddles of its fanciful

and exquisitely carved beasts.

Jumping horse c. 1912

Charles Carmel

(Jewels added by M.D. Borelli)

American (Coney Island Style)

Painted wood (restored)

The whirl of the carousel, vibrant colors and lights, band organ music, and incredibly beautiful horses are irresistible for children of all ages. Once mounted in the saddle, you can become a veiled princess astride a pet tiger, a bronco riding cowboy, or a dueling knight atop a thundering charger. It is this leap of imagination that made carousels the most popular American amusement ride during the Golden Age of carousels that stretched from 1900 to World War II.

Prancing horse c. 1880

Charles I.D. Looff

American (Coney Island Style)

Park paint on wood

Standing horse c. 1910

Charles Carmel

American (Coney Island Style)

Painted wood (Restored)

Jumping horse c. 1911

Marcus Illions

American (Coney Island Style)

Stripped wood

These elaborately carved animals continue to captivate audiences today primarily as works of art rather than as amusement park rides. To define their enduring appeal we need only look for the twinkle in an adult’s eye as they return to their childhood memories or watch a young child enter a fantasy world of horses, bears, swans and lions.

CAROUSELS CIRCLE THE WORLD

Many companies carved both large park carousels and small portable carousels in Europe and England.

The French produced many barnyard animals such as rabbits, pigs, cows, horses, and delightful dogs and cats.

Jumping rabbit c. 1900

Gustave Bayol

French (Portable carousel)

Park paint on wood

The German carvers, along with carving elegant horses, carved many lions, tigers and bears.

Small jumping horse c. 1910

Freidrich Heyn

German (Portable carousel)

Painted wood

Standing bear c. 1890

Freidrich Heyn

German

Stripped/stained wood

The animals produced in Mexico were animated, well-muscled, brightly painted and often small for whirling aboard portable fiesta carousels.

Standing bear c. 1940s

Carver Unknown

Mexican (Portable carousel)

Restored stain/paint on wood

The English round-a-bouts all rotate in a clockwise direction whereas American, European and Mexican carousels turn counter-clockwise. The fancy or romance side faces outward.

Jumping horse c. 1890

G. & J. Lines

English galloper (Mark)

Park paint on wood

MENAGERIE ANIMALS

Most carousels only have horses and often two chariots. The addition of menagerie animals brings both whimsical and bold choices.

Swan with interior seat c. 1904

Gustave Bayol

French (Portable carousel)

Park paint on wood

It is the brave rider who selects a roaring tiger or lion.

Standing tiger c. 1895

Gottfried Bungarz

American (Coney Island Style)

Park paint on wood

Another might happily choose a flirting rabbit, friendly dog, cat, camel, ostrich, zebra, pig or bear.

Standing camel c. 1905

Daniel Muller

American (Philadelphia Style)

Original paint on wood

Regardless of what animal is chosen, the rider's imagination transforms wood and paint into a magical adventure. Spinning them into a flight of fantasy before it deposits them safely into the real world, forever changed by the journey.

Upstairs at the Bernhard Museum

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The Bernhard Museum Complex consists of three historic structures on approximately 1.5 acres that opened to the public in 1982. The main house was built in 1851 and was originally an inn called the “Traveler’s Rest.”

In an effort to make the upstairs of the Bernhard Museum accessible to all, we have created this online exhibit showcasing the many artifacts in the five bedrooms. The upstairs is not handicap accessible but is available to the public Tuesday –Sunday 11:00-4:00.

click on photos for larger versions

The Staircase

French wall clock "G. Grand-Gannat”, c. 1850

The Sewing Room

Cotton dress c. 1865-1870

Handmade cotton apron c. 1900

Crocheted wool shawl c. 1850

Quilt with red pinwheel and white diamond pattern. Made by Mabel Retherford Scott in the Early 1800's. Brought from Kansas to Oregon and then on to California.

Woven cotton and wool throw rug c. 1860

“Florence” treadle sewing machine with red cast iron legs, c. 1861
Handmade beaded pincushion c. 1857
Thread holder, c. unknown
Velvet trinket box, c. unknown

Sewing bag, c. unknown
Handmade picture frame c. 1900

Lace maker’s cushion with 41 bobbins, c. 1890

Maureen Cook Room

Hope chest, c.1824
Framed pastel drawing of Louise Francis Clawson c. 1880
Walnut bedroom suite, Eastlake style, c. 1880

Wool dress with felt appliqué, c. 1880-1890.
Walnut dresser c. 1870.
Basin and pitcher, c. 1900

Beaded purse c. 1890-1910
Perfume bottle, c. 1900
Colonial Dame toilet soap box manufactured by Allen B. Weisley Co. in Chicago c. 1900.
Broach in box c. 1850
Velvet runner c. unknown

High button boots, c. 1900

Gentleman's Room

Bootjack, c. unknown. Donor record states that it was used by Abraham Lincoln during his regular stops on his circuit rides through Kentucky and Illinois at donor’s Great-Grandfather’s Farm. Donor’s grandfather remembered helping him pull off his boots.
Boots made in Auburn by James Walsh in 1865 for Alex Siefert to wear to a dance in Pilot Hill.

Autoharp “The Favorite,” c. 1900
Smoking jacket c. 1900-1915
Cane (walking stick) of Auburn doctor Dr. R.F. Rooney, c. 1900
Carpet bag, c. unknown

White enamel windmill toilet set (pitcher and basin) c. 1860
Collar and cuff box, c. 1890-1900. Used by John Ross, an early day Auburn resident.
Shaving mug, c. 1890-1910
Mustache cup, c. 1880
Watch and chain, c. 1900
Palmolive soap, c. unknown

Chamber pail (part of the windmill toilet set) c. 1860

Wall pocket with needlepoint design, c. 1890

Cigar case, c. unknown
Cigar box, Penny Havanas Perfectos, c. unknown
Cigar holder and original case, c. unknown
Kerosene lamp, c. 1890

Twin Bedroom

Bedroom suite, Empire period style, c. 1890
Dress, c. 1895
Leather boots, c. 1890

Opera glasses in case, c. 1890-1900
Photo of Jean Estrella Nicholls, age 12, c. 1899

Wardrobe c. 1900
Women’s boots c. 1890-1900
Quilted slippers with fur trim c. 1900
Embroidered cape with fringe, c 1890
Black jacket c. 1890-1900

Portable writing desk c. 1870
Autograph album c. 1880
Mother-of-Pearl paper knife, c. 1900
Inkwell c. 1890
Pen with case c.1880

Beaded pincushion c. 1870
Brass candlestick, circa unknown
Picture of two girls, c. unknown
Handkerchief, c. unknown

Toy Room

Chest of drawers with mirror, salesman’s sample c. 1900
Braided throw rug c. 1890-1920
Child’s tea service, c. unknown

Cotton dress c. 1900-1915

Black mohair toy horse, c. 1890-1910
Train set c. 1890-1910

Miniature cast iron cook stove, used as a sales sample, c. 1898

Iron crib, c. 1900
Doll with porcelain head from Galesburg, Illinois. C. 1850. Head repaired and new dress made by the Sierra Discovery Doll Club.
Quilt, c. unknown
Stuffed cat in blue velvet suit, 1974. Tom Kitten (Beatrix Potter) reproduction
White cotton pillow sham with lace edging and red embroidered flowers and "Good Night" motif, c. unknown

Doll with porcelain head, c. 1860-1890
Rattan toy table, chair and settee set, circa unknown

Relaxation and Rejuvenation:

2009-09-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

Camping in Placer County

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Keep close to Nature's heart...break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
~John Muir

Recreational camping began in the 19th century as city bound people sought escape from the rush of daily life.

They traveled to wooded areas, lakes, and hot springs seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. In the early 20th century, motor camping became popular due to improved automobiles and roads; and the newsreel and newspaper accounts of the camping adventures of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.

By the 1950s, the postwar economy had boomed, launching a record number of Americans into the middle class. This created a sudden surplus of disposable income and leisure time wherein Americans flocked to campgrounds and resorts for family vacations in far greater numbers than ever before.

Camping describes a range of activities. To many it is a simple way of connecting with nature while vacationing.

It is a way to spend time in a relaxed atmosphere, away from city noise and modern amenities.
To others it is a way to recapture the past and reconnect with the simpler way of living.

One person who camped in many remote areas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains searching for the past was Wendell Robie.

He was a prominent Auburn businessman and an avid outdoorsman. He admired mountain men such as Caleb Greenwood and Jedediah Smith who traversed the mountains in the early to mid 19th century. In 1931, Wendell, along with five other men, journeyed from Auburn to Lake Tahoe on horseback to re-establish and mark portions of the Emigrant Trail that had been lost.

They explored and camped in the vast wilderness of the Sierra Nevada retracing the steps miners once took during the Gold Rush. The trail they re-discovered later became known as the Western States Heritage Trail.

Most of the artifacts on display in this exhibit, including the hunting and fishing licenses below, belonged to Wendell Robie and date between 1930 and 1950.

Even though camping equipment changed dramatically over the years, becoming more lightweight and compact, balancing the needs with what you can carry has been an issue for campers in the past as well as today.

Some made their own gear. The camp stove below, for example, was made by Benjamin H. Johnson in 1921 in North Dakota, for his family’s journey to California.

We’d like to hear about your camping adventure. While this exhibit was up, we had a log book for people to record a few notes about their last camping experience. Feel free to do the same in our comments section.

Click on the image below to see all the photos from this exhibit

The Tradition of the Carousel

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Panorama of the Bernhard Museum Complex Winery display area.
Click on photos for larger versions

CAROUSELS CIRCLE THE WORLD

Many companies carved both large park carousels and small portable carousels in both Europe and England. The French produced more barnyard animals such as rabbits, pigs, cows, horses, and delightful dogs and cats. The German carvers, along with carving elegant horses, carved many lions, tigers and bears. The animals produced in Mexico were animated, well-muscled, brightly painted and often small for whirling aboard portable fiesta carousels.

The English round-a-bouts all rotate in a clockwise direction whereas American, European and Mexican carousels turn counter-clockwise. The fancy or romance side faces outward. Horses were carved as jumpers, prancers or standers.

Various carousel animals from the Hegarty Collection

TRADITION OF THE CAROUSEL

The origins of our colorful carousels began a few hundred years ago. A revolving platform with suspended, crudely-carved horse seats was used in France for knights to practice lancing a suspended ring. Soon, simple horse figures were added to the platforms as an entertaining ride for nobility and commoners.

These platforms were pulled in a circle by animals or servants. The simple rides soon became great attractions at fairs and festivals throughout England and Europe. With the invention of the steam engine, large, permanent carousels filled parks and thrilled riders.

Primitive carousels were built by carpenters, wheelwrights, and blacksmiths in America in the early 1800s. Gustav Dentzel, the immigrant son of a German carousel builder, is credited with establishing the carousel industry in America in 1867. Soon other carving companies were established in the Philadelphia area

as well as near Coney Island and upstate New York. The carving styles originating in these areas were different and distinctive. They became know as: The County Fair Style, The Philadelphia Style, and The Coney Island Style. Examples of these carving styles are presented in this exhibition:

THE TRADITION OF THE CAROUSEL.

Philadelphia Toboggan Company Scenery Panel c. 1906

Twin Pines Carousel, Pine Grove, PA

American - Philadelphia Style Original paint on wood

Hegarty Collection

CAROUSEL ANIMAL CONSTRUCTION

American carousel animals were carved primarily from yellow poplar and basswood. Several pieces of wood were laminated together, leaving the center of the animal hollow both for weight and to have the smooth grain exposed for carving. The head and legs were carved separately, then doweled and glued to the body. The best carver, or head man, carved the head, mane, and fancy trappings.

The early carousel animals were all hand-carved. Later, carving machines duplicated patterns and expanded production though fancy details were done by talented carvers. Eventually, horses were produced with wooden bodies but had metal heads, legs and tails. These were referred to as half and halfs. Carousels with metal horses were also introduced. Most recently, newly-carved as well as fiberglass animals molded from the original antique carousel animals are being created.

Charles Carmel (Jewels added by M.D. Borelli)

Jumping horse c. 1910

American - Coney Island Style Stripped Wood

Hegarty Collection

RESTORATION

The small wooden carousel animals led hard lives. They traveled constantly from fair to fair and often needed fast repairs. A tin patch, a few nails, a replacement ear or tail kept the animals on their bustling summer schedules. More time and care was generally taken with restoration of the large carousel animals located in parks and pavilions.

Freidrich Heyn, Jumping Horse c. 1920 German

Park paint / metal repairs

Hegarty Collection

THE COUNTY FAIR STYLE

The sturdy little carousel animals appearing at the county fairs and gatherings in the summer were designed for traveling. Their legs were in simple, parallel positions for easy moving and stacking. They needed to be quickly loaded and unloaded from train cars and trucks.

Several companies carved these County Fair Style animals, some for only a few years. One of the largest and most successful companies had a few different names and a variety of styles. In North Tonawanda, upstate New York, the Armitage-Herschell Company produced many friendly looking jumpers. The names and partners changed to Herschell-Spillman, Spillman Engineering, and Allan Herschell. Other companies included in this style are Dare, United States Merry-Go-Round Co., and the C.W. Parker Company which was located first in Abilene, then in Leavenworth, KS.

Armitage-Herschell Jumping Horse c. 1890

American - County Fair Style - Painted wood (restored)

Hegarty Collection

Carousels in Placer County

Several articles from the Placer Herald in 1906 confirm that there were merry-go-rounds in Placer County.

T.H. McKenna has just returned to Lincoln from Abilene, Kan., where he went to purchase a merry go round, in which business he will shortly engage…Upon the arrival of the merry go round from the East it will be given its initial run in Lincoln, after which the firm will visit various other points in this State, Oregon and Idaho.
-Placer Herald, March 31, 1906

From an article on May 12, 1906 we learn that the "steam merry-go-round" was installed in Auburn on a vacant lot next to W.R. Arthur's residence and was expected to remain for a week. The following article is priceless:

Miss Effa Lardner last Saturday evening received the handsome gold watch given away by the merry-go-round proprietors, the watch being awarded to the young lady receiving the highest number of votes during their stay in Auburn.

The animals in this photo of a merry-go-round located in

Towle in the early 20thc are typical of the County Fair Style

Placer County Archives

THE PHILADELPHIA STYLE

Gustav Dentzel began producing elegant, realistic carousel animals in his G.A. Dentzel Steam and Horsepower Caroussell Builder shop in l867. His father, Michael, had been a carousel builder in Germany. A proud immigrant, Gustav often carved American flags, Lady Liberty, and symbols of the American West on his wooden animals.

Additional companies began carving the realistic, non-jeweled carousel figures in the Philadelphia area. Among them were The Philadelphia Company, (PTC), E. Joy Morris Co., and D.C. Muller and Brother Co. The horses carved in the Philadelphia Style often had flowing, intricately-carved manes, side-figures of cherubs and archangels, medieval trappings or elaborate garlands of flowers. Daniel Muller frequently carved military-style horses with bedrolls and canteens.

Gustav Dentzel Prancing Horse c. 1885

American - Philadelphia Style

Park paint on stripped wood

Hegarty Collection

THE CONEY ISLAND STYLE

Brooklyn, New York became the center of several carving companies.

Charles I.D. Looff installed the first carousel at Coney Island in l876, the year America celebrated its centennial. The Coney Island Style animals are recognized by their elaborate glass jewels, wild gold-leafed manes, armor or fish-scale embellishments, and flamboyant poses.

Other carving companies soon joined Looff in producing large and exciting park carousels. Stein and Goldstein, Marcus Illions and Charles Carmel produced

dazzling horses with a few menagerie animals. Many of Carmel’s horses were purchased by frame-maker, M. Borelli, who often added hundreds of extra jewels. The animals became known as Carmel/Borelli’s.

Charles Carmel (Jewels added by M.D. Borelli)
Jumping horse c 1912 American (Coney Island Style)
Painted wood (restored)
Hegarty Collection

MENAGERIE ANIMALS

Though most people think of the colorful, animated horses aboard carousels, there are a variety of menagerie animals that can also be enjoyed! Several carving companies such as Dentzel, Muller, PTC, Looff, Carmel, and Herschell-Spillman created both elegant and fanciful menagerie figures.

The variety of American menagerie animals include: cats, rabbits, dogs, bears, ostriches, goats, donkeys, deer, giraffes, zebra, frogs, a couple of rare bison, and of course the fierce lion and tiger. The animals were arranged in pairs except for a single lion and tiger. They were placed on opposing sides of the carousel

for balance.

Herschell-Spillman Jumping Dog c. 1912
American - County Fair Style - Park paint on wood
Hegarty Collection

To see the Auburn Journal's coverage of this exhibit, click here.