2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Charles I.D. Looff, the master builder of hand-carved carousels. As the builder of the first carousel at Coney Island in 1876, he went on to build some 40 more, many of which survive to this day.

Rhode Island is fortunate to be the home of two of those carousels: one at Slater Park in Pawtucket (relocated from upstate New York in 1910) and the other in East Providence, where it operates on the original location where it was build in 1895 as the centerpiece of Crescent Park, then known as the "Coney Island of the East."

Saved by local residents in the 1970's the carousel was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

But unlike most landmarks of its advanced age, the Crescent Park carousel moves, and it moves far and fast.

By the numbers, one ride on the carousel is thirty revolutions, or approximately 0.9 miles. So in one hour, the ride travels 9 miles and in one day of operation, it travels 71.4 miles. With an average 100-day season, the ride travels 7136 miles. In its lifetime, the carousel has gone a distance equal to about 35 times around the Earth or 3.5 times to the Moon!

What does it take to keep a keep a historic carousel in top shape for season upon season of riders? A lot. Which is why, much to the disappointment of fans, the carousel closed early for the 2017 off-season to begin a significant restoration project, forcing the cancellation of the popular holiday tree lighting.

It was not a decision that the Carousel's board, or Carousel manager Tracy Johnson, took lightly. "A lot of people were unhappy," said Johnson. "But we needed to do this to ensure that our grandchildren can enjoy it someday."

Work is ongoing. Caretaker Ed Serowik, Sr., has been working on reinstalling a center ring to help keep the carousel stabilized. This project requires disassembling each row of the horses crank shafts, and raising the large hinged gears up inside the carousel. This large project is the principal reason the carousel closed early last season, to allow as much work as possible before winter set in.

Mr. Serowik also removed 6 horses and brought them to the New England Carousel Museum in Connecticut to be completely restored. Once completed, they will be reinstalled.

Restoration work will also begin on the building itself this spring (though the building work will not delay reopening of the carousel itself.) Issues like deteriorating wood, water infiltration and the need to reinforce the floors will be addressed, with the support of a matching State Preservation Grant.

"The Crescent Park Carousel Preservation has been busy creating and planning another wonderful season of fundraising and community events for the 2018 season and we need everyone’s support to make them a success," said Ms. Johnson. "All proceeds from events help fund the continued restoration of the Carousel."

For more information on the Carousel, visit www.crescentparkcarousel.org; follow the carousel's Facebook page for more information on its spring reopening, date to be determined, when it becomes available.