The Carousel of Happiness is a unique, participatory exhibit of folk art and a living piece of American history. As a young Marine in Vietnam, Scott Harrison received a tiny music box that brought him a peaceful image of a carousel in a mountain meadow. After rescuing an abandoned Looff carousel frame in Utah, he spent 26 years hand-carving animals to bring it back to life.

Starting with the rabbit now on the carousel's sign, he created more than 50 one-of-a-kind animals, 35 of which can be ridden. The carousel features 36 colorful hand-carved animals to ride and 25 smaller animals keeping them company, with tiny fairies flying overhead and hiding in the shadows. Upstairs there is an observation window, a small party room, and a Do-It-Yourself Puppet Theatre housed in a lovingly restored antique band organ facade.

The Gift Shop sells high-quality toys, books, posters, gifts, puppets, and the work of local artists and artisans. The building serves as a community space for meetings, parties, and weddings, a destination for people with disabilities, and a demonstration building for green, energy-saving technologies. The carousel is an outpost of simple joy for young and old.

When the small community of Nederland came together and raised $700,000 to build it a home, they created a blending of new and old creations—the spirit of the century-old carousel combined with new carvings and an inspiring story that encourages smiles from visitors of all ages.