Historic Jersey Shore Carousel Has Finally Been Restored

The historic Jersey Shore Carousel that helped create a lot of childhood memories has finally been restored and will be returning in working order to Casino Pier on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk.

The carousel, known as The Floyd L. Moreland Carousel, will officially reopen at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3. Just in time for our nation’s birthday.

Floyd L. Moreland is a retired City University of New York Professor who rode the iconic carousel in the summer as a child and worked as an operator during summers throughout college and graduate school. We are ready to celebrate America’s birthday and the rebirth of this iconic carousel that dates back to 1910.

According to the Seaside Heights Historical Society, the carousel passed state inspection on Monday, June 10.

Watch the documentary tribute below created by the students at Central Regional High School in recognition of Seaside Heights' restoration and preservation of the Floyd Moreland Carousel. The Borough of Seaside Heights is the recipient of Ocean County's 2024 Historic Preservation Award. This film was created for the 2024 Salute to Ocean County: A Celebration of Arts and Culture

The Seaside Heights Historical Society’s Facebook page reads: “Members of the Seaside Heights Historical Society are invited to join us Saturday, June 29th, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to ride the Floyd L. Moreland Carousel. If you wish to confirm your membership status, please email info@seasideheightshistory.org. The carousel will open to the public commencing Wednesday, July 3rd, at 6:00 p.m.”

According to the Daily Voice, the wooden chariots and animals like horses, camels, lions, and donkeys were disassembled in November 2019 by Carousels and Carvings. The Marion, Ohio, company is one of the last remaining restorers of wooden merry-go-rounds.

The carousel was reassembled throughout the summer and fall of 2023 in a pavilion on the boardwalk's north end. A new wheelchair-accessible chariot was installed in April 2024.

The New Jersey Historic Trust helped fund part of the project by providing a $750,000 grant, the historical society also collected matching donations for the grant program.

The public is excited, “Amazing workmanship….5 stars for sure, said one commenter.

Another person commented, "Spent many summers riding the old one. Miss Seaside Heights. Maybe someday I can make a trip back. Living in Pa now.”

“Such fabulous news! Can’t wait to take a ride. Thanks to such a great effort to save this revolving historical work of art!

Seaside Heights Carousel photos from the newly restored Floyd L. Moreland Carousel and the Carousel Pavilion that I took today on my morning walk with my wife. You can find out more about the grand opening of the Seaside Heights Carousel here.