Historic Carousel & Museum — Attraction in Albany

On August 18, 2023 at 1:59pm my family got kicked out of The Albany Historic Carousel and Museum by a very rude and condescending woman named Peggy. She told us that they have a "one bark policy" here and told us we had to leave immediately. She was extremely demeaning and very condescending when she told us to leave with our Hearing Service Dog Mocha. We didn't argue, my fiance, whose PTSD was triggered by her rude abruptness just said, "okay" and we left. As we were waiting for our friends to show up outside in the hot sun (they live in Lebanon, Oregon and were driving to meet up with us), an elderly man who was going into the place said that it was okay for us to go inside with our Hearing Service Dog Mocha. Embarrassed, I politely told him that we couldn't go inside because my fiance's Hearing Service Dog Mocha barked one time and we were told we had to leave the premises because of their "one bark policy". He just said, "Yes, we have a one bark policy here." I have never heard of anything so asinine and ridiculous in my whole life. First of all, if they are going to have a stupid rule such as the "one bark policy", don't you think that they should at least warn you, but NO! Nothing!! No warning at all.There were absolutely no postings on the doors nor the windows. Where were the warnings for us of this "one bark policy"? We were never approached at point in time by anyone informing us of this secret "one bark policy". It would have been nice to be warned of this so-called "one bark policy" by any of the workers there or by some sort of notice stuck onto the doors or windows so we would know the potential of us getting thrown out of there if our dog barked once. Our Hearing Service Dog Mocha was not making a scene, she was not disturbing anyone, nor did she bark with anyone else around us at the time of the "crime". There's cameras mounted there as proof that no one was around us at the time of the "crime", so she did not frighten anyone near us. Our Service Dog Mocha did a single bark and just for that we were approached by Peggy and the one bark got us booted out. Mocha didn't bark incessantly or at anyone. She wasn't menacing nor was she threatening any other guests. Sometimes she barks to alert her handler of things, it is part of her job. Other times, she just barks because she is a dog. She has been a part of our family for a year and a half and is a great Hearing Service Dog. As I said, we were meeting friends there and we were standing outside in the hot sun with our Service Dog and they asked us why we weren't inside. Feeling embarrassed, we told them we got told we had to leave the premises because our dog barked one time when no one was around us. They were shocked to say the least. So, now, in my oh so humble opinion, I will never recommend this place to any of my friends to visit EVER! Most of my friends are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and have Hearing Service Dogs that provide a service, and if their dog happens to bark one time like ours did, they made the trip there for NOTHING!! I would not recommend this place ever to anyone who may have a Service Dog of any sort because if they bark one time, you're out! It is such a shame because it truly was a beautiful place to visit, the wonderful carousel was beautifully decorated. The place and many of the other workers were friendly and accommodating, a worker even told us that we could bring Mocha on the carousel. The woman in the gift shop was so sweet and kind as my daughter made her souvenir coin, her first one, she even checked it to see if it printed right because if it didn't she would give her one that was. The guy in the wheelchair who was cleaning a table was friendly and we chatted a bit. The others were very nice, but I am forever tainted by the awful treatment and I'd have to say that this experience leaves a horrendous bad taste in my mouth. Other than that, I would recommend this place only to people who don't have Service Animals because one little peep from your dog and I'm pretty sure that Peggy will come storm-trooping in and...

For as many times as we visit and thoroughly enjoy the Historic Albany Carousel, I’m disappointed that I feel it necessary to leave a poor review. And I feel disappointed because my 4 year old had a bad experience to where he stated that he never wants to come back again. Of course Ice Cream and a $40 purchase from the gift shop helped remedy that.

The issue that was had was with the gentleman in the Rip City hat that mans the ring station. Again I feel silly that I’m leaving a poor review about this, but my son also cried and voiced his displeasure so I leave it in hopes of some change.

My boys talked about wanting to visit the carousel since yesterday and this morning with the excitement to possibly grab the golden ring. I recommended the Giraffe as it’s the tallest on the outside for my short 4 year old, my 6 year old also was never able to reach the rings from the second tallest animal the gazelle.

The first time around the giraffe and gazelle were taken, so we got on the llama and bison. Prior to the ride starting, the gentleman in the Rip City came up to me and my 4 year old on his own and informed me that I CANNOT grab the rings for him. Once the ride started we quickly realized neither son could reach the rings. But I obliged and didn’t grab them as told. My son got visibly upset everytime around and had his arm out to grab them. The gentleman in the Rip City hat saw us, but chose to not hand my 4 year olds outstretched hand a ring.The ride ended with my 4 year old in tears.

I let him know, “ It’s okay, we’ll get you on the giraffe the next time.” The second time around he was on the giraffe. He still could not reach the rings, and was visibly upset and the ride ended with him again in tears. His had was outstretched everytime but the worker chose not to hand him a ring. I decided to hold my 1 year old daughter and ride for myself with her to grab the rings, the third time around.

The third time around with my daughter, I grabbed a ring and received a dirty look from the gentleman in the Rip City hat. The second time around the turn, I could see was watching me so I played coy and snuck a 2nd ring. The third time around, I chose not to reach but noticed he looked prepared to say something. The 5th time around I grabbed a 3rd ring with no recourse. The next time around I did not grab a ring but the gentleman in the Rip City hat said something to me in a scolding tone. We finished the ride.

I should not have to feel uncomfortable for myself or my kids at the carousel, in my opinion. My sons may not be tall enough, but they are smart enough to know that they want to try to get the golden ring. I remedied the experience by buying all of the kids $40 worth of toys from the gift shop.

Most adults don’t ride the carousel for themselves. They ride it for their kids. I understand the theory of an adult not being able to grab a ring because it takes the magic away from kids, but in this case I was trying to grab it for my kids that can’t reach.

I hope the carousel can adopt a new rule to either allow adults to grab rings for their kids who can’t reach, or make sure that if they see a short kid with an outstretched arm every turn, that they can make an effort to hand them a ring so everyone can have a good experience. Oh and by the way I could’ve easily grabbed the golden ring for my son, but out of respect for the gentleman in the Rip City hat that was very...

This is the second time we visited the Historic Carousel & Museum and once again, we had the most marvelous time! We live in Portland (OR) and made a special trip to Albany just to visit the museum again. The last time we went (about 3-4 years ago) we got to see many animals on the carousel and got to see many still being carved. This time, the carousel was even more full of gorgeous animals! Best was we got to see the ones we saw being carved years ago, installed and working on the carousel. That was a special experience in its own!

This carousel and museum are truly the most beautiful examples of suburb craftsmanship! The animals on the carousel are absolutely exquisite! Each animal is incredibly intricate and unique! The animals, and its particular theme, is done is the most beautiful way. They are such a work of art! Each is absolutely stunning!

In addition, riding the carousel was so much fun!! I’m a young 41 (😉) and i was with my 72 yr old mother. We so enjoyed riding round and round with the music playing and everyone smiling and having a wonderful time.. it felt like being an innocent child again.. just enjoying a fun ride and feeling happy and appreciative to get to have such an unique experience.

Lastly, the staff here are SO kind! We fully enjoyed the tour and getting to see more animals being carved. The tour was very informative and made the experience even more special. Our tour guide was so friendly too! It was fascinating to learn about carousels and the history. Also the people carving were so kind! They took the time to chat with us and show us what they were doing. What wonderful people! We also REALLY appreciated the kind woman taking the tokens for the carousel. We brought our small 11lbs dog with us and not only is the carousel building pet friendly to well behaved pets but the woman taking tokens even allowed us to bring our pup on the carousel so my mother and I could ride together. Even our dog loved sitting in a gondola seat and riding round and round! The sweetest thing was that my mother got the brass ring in the ring game.. when one gets the brass ring, they get a certificate for a free ride. They usually take back the certificate when you exchange for your free ride. But, the woman heard it was my mother’s birthday and she let us keep the certificate as a memento. It may seem small to some but, it was such a kind thing for her to do and, now my mother has a special keepsake to treasure 🥰 it was the cherry on top of an incredibly lovely day!

Thanks to the Historic Carousel & Museum, and all of the lovely people there, my mother had the most wonderful birthday! It was so memorable and special! We are so grateful and appreciative! We fully look forward to visiting again soon!

I HIGHLY recommend you make a trip to Albany, OR to experience this for yourself! You will definitely not be disappointed and will walk away having a memorable time to treasure forever!

HUGE thank you to everyone who made our visit so...