Taking an Inside Look into an Inspection and Deep-cleaning of the Ellis Carousel

Taking an Inside Look into an Inspection and Deep-cleaning of the Ellis CarouselThis article was submitted by Chattanooga Parks and OutdoorsUTC intern Everett ChristiansenUTC intern Everett ChristiansenUTC intern Everett ChristiansenUTC intern Everett ChristiansenCHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (City of Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors) — Every year, a team comes together at the Ellis carousel in Coolidge Park to maintain itsstructure, safety, and most importantly, its history. It was not until he met Bud Ellis, the founder of Horsin’ AroundCarousel Carving School, that Ridge began to change gears and focus on carousel work. Bud and his wife, Johnnie, birthed the idea of the Coolidge Carousel and built it from the groundup. Todd Goings, a 2024 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National HeritageFellowship, conducts mechanical and operational work for the Ellis Carousel. Ridge frequents the Ellis Carousel, keeping the life in the work ofthose he once knew, “We’re going to keep this thing up, the city’s made a commitment to it.