June 6, 2003 The North Bay Heritage Carousel Book

Everyone knows about the beautiful North Bay Heritage Carousel on the Waterfront and many know the incredible story of its creation. Now there is an absolutely stunning book that is equal to the task of recording and recognizing the achievement. The book North Bay Heritage Carousel is available now. 

North Bay Heritage Carousel  book. Call Joanne at 472-7031 for copies.

The book features the remarkable photographs of North Bay's Internationally known photographer Ed Eng. The vivid and joyous colour photographs of the carousel and the people behind it animate every page. The book is a celebration of art, culture, heritage, technology, leadership, volunteerism and teamwork.

In 1993 the Heritage Railway was established and in 1999 railway leaders Rod Johnston and the late Barry Jacobs came up with the idea of a companion project, a carousel. By a remarkable twist of fate they found artist Edna Scott, who had a lifelong passion for and knowledge of carousels. More importantly, she was prepared to be a part of a team that 3 years later would produce a million dollar masterpiece of the carousel art.
Over the next 3 years 350 volunteers gave thousands of hours of work and governments, agencies, businesses and people in the community got behind the project. The project coordinators made the courageous decision to have as much of the carving, painting, engineering etc. done locally by volunteers to increase ownership and for purposes of economy. The North Bay Woodcarvers Club was approached to carve some of the horses and local artists were harnessed to paint the horses and other aspects of the carousel.

Edna Scott designed the 33 horses, the Spinning Tub and the 2 Chariots. The horses all have a heritage design reminiscent of carousels from the past. The carousel team was fortunate to find a man from Montana who had recently built a carousel and could produce some of the horses. A man from Ohio was found who had an antique mechanism to drive the carousel.

Barry Jacobs took the lead to convince people to adopt each of the many pieces of the carousel at prices from $4400 to $7600. Adopters, whether a business or a family, got to name their adoptee and all are recognized in beautiful portraits in the book.

The carousel opened on Canada Day July 1, 2002 and in 5 weeks 120,000 people, including me and my grandchildren, took rides at a loonie a piece.

North Bay Heritage Carousel enjoyed by children of all ages.

A decision was made by this creative and energetic group to produce a book on the carousel to recognize and share the achievement. The book also serves as a how-to book on creating a carousel including a chapter on how to carve a horse and how to paint a horse. The book and carousel projects may be the bridge to future carousel projects. The book is as remarkable an achievement in terms of quality as the carousel and its people. Beside Ed Eng's photographs, Richard Ference designed the book, Patti Fideli wrote it and Edna Scott took the editorial lead.

The 152 page book is a collectors' item not only for people interested in carousels but for people interested in it for its artistic value. It is an inspiring and beautiful piece of art that celebrates life and touches the human spirit.

The book is available this evening, and Saturday at the North Bay Mall at the vacant store where the carvers worked. A picnic for volunteers and interested people will be held at the Carousel site on Sunday June the 8th at 2 P.M.. Books will be sold at this event and subsequently at the Carousel. Gulliver's Books on Main Street are also carrying the book. For further information call Joanne at 472-7031. 

Space here does not allow for credit to the many people involved in the carousel project but the book does. The book for example recognizes Rod Johnston "our dynamic fearless leader, arm twister and visionary who made it all come together". Congratulations to all for a job well done.