Kurri Lewis '08, who earned a degree in history last May, is serving as curator for the Museum of Carousel Art and History in Sandusky, Ohio.  In a unique collaboration, he has recently partnered with another UF alumnus, Ben Sapp '93, director of UF's Mazza Museum, to create an exhibit that evokes memories of childhood experiences at parks and carnivals.

Lewis has loaned a carousel horse to the Mazza Museum, where it is matched with a display of children's books and story book artwork about carousels by renowned artists such as Brian Wildsmith, Donald Crews and Marcia Brown.  Lewis' parents, who both work at The University of Findlay, Jeffrey '85 and Colene '08 Lewis, suggested the idea to Ben and Kurri, and then helped transport the carousel horse to UF.

The display has been a hit with Mazza visitors, including more than 400 children and their parents who were at Mazza for a recent Funday Sunday, a story-telling and art activities family event.  Also, museum docents are enthusiastic about showing the display during tours for school children, according to Sapp.  "I'm excited about this partnership and sharing our works," he said.  The carousel horse has been at the Mazza Museum since February and will remain until late May when it, along with books and artwork from Mazza, will return to the carousel museum for the busy summer tourist season.

The horse that Lewis chose to share is from a carousel made by Allen Herschell, whose factory made carousels and amusement park rides in Tonawanda, N.Y.  The horse is a Coney Island-style horse, identified by the mask and inset jewels, Lewis said.  It also has a real horse-hair tail, consistent with its 1921 manufacture.  Lewis noted that on carousel animals only the right side, called the "romance side," is decorated, while the other side is left plain.  This is because the carousels run counter-clockwise and the right side is the one seen, he explained.

Lewis has greatly enjoyed learning about the history and artwork related to carousels since being hired in November 2008.  "Every day you find out something new, and how back then the themes on the horses were related to the time period of history," he remarked.  One of his projects is to organize and expand The National Carousel Archives at the Sandusky museum.

His knowledge and enthusiasm about the background of carousels and carousel animals were evident as he described the holdings of the museum, which opened in 1990 in a former post office.  Although carousels started out featuring only horses, Lewis said, soon other animals were represented as well.  The Museum of Carousel Art and History, commonly called the Merry-Go-Round Museum, has more than 150 pieces, including a dolphin, an ostrich, a giraffe, two sea monsters and a pig.  Acquired from France are a donkey and a cow, carved about 1909.  In April, the museum is adding a zebra and a frog, created by a group of 15 volunteer carvers.  The museum also owns a tiger by master carver Gustav Dentzel, circa 1910, that is valued at $75,000, he said in amazement.

The museum houses a 1939 Allen Herschell carousel, with unlimited rides included in the price of admission, Lewis pointed out.  The carousel is reputedly the fastest in the Midwest.  The faster speed is authentic to the early 1900s time period, he commented.

Lewis credited Professor Mark Polelle, Ph.D., chair of the department of history, law and political science, for inspiring him in history classes and arranging an internship for him with the Hancock County Historical Museum in Findlay, an experience that helped him get his current job.

In the fall, Lewis hopes to begin work toward a master's degree in library science so he can become a licensed archivist.  He also intends to earn a second master's degree in museology, commonly known as museum studies, to learn how to organize and manage museum collections. Both can be earned through accredited online programs, he said.  He also aspires to a Ph.D. in museology, with hopes of eventually working in a museum in Washington, D.C., or New York City.  In the meantime, his collaborative efforts with his alma mater will help share childhood wonders and garner increased public awareness for both museums.