National Historic Landmark

Flying Horses

Oak Bluffs, Dukes County, Massachusetts
Listed
August 26, 1979
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
79000342

About this property

The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest operating platform carousel in the United States. Located in the historic resort community of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, on Martha's Vineyard, the carousel was apparently first located in New York City before being moved to the island in the 1880s. The carousel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The carousel is one of only a handful of carousels that still have brass rings for a rider to attempt to grab as the carousel rotates.

Location

33 Oak Bluffs Ave.
Oak Bluffs, Dukes County, Massachusetts
41.45745, -70.55716

Categories

ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Timeline
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Nearby Historic Sites

Arcade, The
Industrial
0.1 mi
Tucker, Dr. Harrison A., Cottage
Industrial
0.1 mi
Union Chapel
Civil War
0.2 mi
Wesleyan Grove
Listed
0.2 mi
Martha's Vineyard Campground
Listed
0.3 mi

Nearby Battles

British Raid on Martha's Vineyard
1778Revolutionary War
7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Flying Horses listed on the National Register?

Flying Horses was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 26, 1979.

What type of historic resource is Flying Horses?

Flying Horses is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Flying Horses a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Flying Horses has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Flying Horses?

The period of significance for Flying Horses is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Flying Horses?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Flying Horses will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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