One of the main reasons why the Sanfilippo Estate is the ideal place to hold the annual Illinois Railway Museum’s Benefit is the Steam Engine and Locomotive collection. Housed inside the Carousel Building, many of these engines are from the 1800’s, including the 1881 Grant railway locomotive and tender that was, at one time, on display at the Ford Museum in Greenfield Village in Michigan. The collection also includes an 1800’s Victoria Station Caboose and a beautifully restored Pullman Palace Car.
All of these engines have been restored and are in pristine condition. Most, if not all, are in working order and are set out so that you can get an excellent view of them from all sides. A truly fantastic collection!
And now, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Eden Palais. This sumptuous salon carousel, originally built in 1890, was a self-contained entertainment palace including stages, bars, booths and of course, the amazing Carousel.
So in we go! The carousel is 46ft in diameter with 36 hand-carved Hubner horses, four ornate rocking gondolas and a spinning lover’s tub, while the center is decorated with seven large Coppier paintings. Unlike the carousel at the House on the Rock, this one is actually for riding on, and guests at the benefit were eager to try it out. We even spotted the organist, Dave Calendine, enjoying a ride on one of the beautifully restored horses.
Taking another look at the incredibly ornate time-piece that stands just inside the doorway, we reluctantly see that it’s time to leave, but hopefully, in the future, I’ll have another opportunity to see all the wonderful things in the Sanfilippo Collection.
Oh, I must ride that carousel. Incredible.
It is definitely a win-win to support a worthwhile cause and also get to see this amazing place.
What a treat. I am very envious indeed.
There were quite a few of us that felt like kids again, riding on that carousel.
That is such an amazing place. Thanks for sharing your photos.
Thank you for visiting, Lynette.
This is a wonderful museum 😍😍😍
Thank you for stopping by, Fairy Qu33n.