Restoration
The Dr. Floyd L. Moreland Dentzel-Looff Carousel underwent significant restoration beginning in November 2019. Ohio-based Carousels & Carvings carefully disassembled the historic ride and transported it to a temporary workshop in Seaside Heights.
Concurrently, the Borough of Seaside Heights constructed a new pavilion on Carteret Avenue and the boardwalk to house the carousel. The project was supported by a $750,000 Green Acres Program grant to fund the building’s construction and a $750,000 NJ Historic Trust grant to restore the carousel’s machinery, decking, and carved figures. Both grants required substantial matching funds from the Borough.
Thanks to the Borough’s efforts, the carousel—which might otherwise have been sold for parts—was preserved and given a new home. The restored carousel officially reopened on July 3, 2024. Borough Administrator and volunteer historian Chris Vaz dedicated countless hours to researching the carousel’s history and spearheading the creation of the Seaside Heights Historical Society, alongside Joe Verderosa and other trustees. Together, they raised additional funds to support the restoration. The restoration process included disassembling and shipping the carousel to Ohio, where Carousels & Carvings spent over a year repairing its machinery and the Wurlitzer organ before reassembling it at its new boardwalk location between Sampson and Carteret avenues.
“This was a lengthy project, and while we were fortunate to receive state funding, the task of repainting the horses, fixing the machinery, and constructing the new building required significant effort, Chris even made trips to Ohio on his own time to oversee the work. It’s finally here, and we’re thrilled to share it with the public!”
Anthony “Tony” Vaz
Mayor of Seaside Heights
A local artist, Marie deSaules, repainted many of the carousel’s animals and figures, while other artists created backdrop paintings inspired by historic Seaside Heights postcards. The attraction’s museum component partially opened alongside the ride, with a full unveiling planned for summer 2024. Although the carousel was reassembled in 2023 and tested, another year was required to finalize the pavilion, install a custom wheelchair-accessible ramp, and train operators. The Borough obtained the necessary state permit following a thorough inspection.
The Experience
Visitors to the carousel can explore its rich history, including features previously hidden from view. Restoration efforts revealed a manufacturing plate from the William F. Mangels Carousel Company of Coney Island, N.Y., suggesting that Mangels contributed to post-fire repairs. This discovery makes the ride one of the only Dentzel-Looff-Mangels carousels in the world. Originally crafted by renowned carousel-makers G.A. Dentzel and Charles I.D. Looff, the carousel’s animals are now complemented by Mangels’ unique additions.
Riders will also enjoy traditional touches, such as the hand-rung pre-ride bell, alongside modern innovations. The control panel features state-of-the-art functions, including the ability to align the carousel’s floor perfectly with the wheelchair-accessible ramp. The ramp—designed to blend seamlessly with the carousel’s historic aesthetic—allows wheelchair users and their companions to ride comfortably.
The carousel’s reopening ceremonies celebrated its legacy and honored Dr. Floyd L. Moreland, an Ortley Beach resident who worked on the ride as a teenager and played a pivotal role in its 1980s restoration while serving as a professor in New York City. Now owned by the Borough of Seaside Heights, the carousel bears his name, a fitting tribute to his lifelong dedication to its preservation.