The project was conceived for the class Digital Humanities: Methods and Practices within the Digital Humanities department at the CUNY Graduate Center. The project came to an end in May 2025, with a reflective analysis offering recommendations for a more equitable distribution of carousels, inclusive fee structures, and enhanced community engagement strategies for future carousel installations in NYC.
Although this project is complete, the project manager will periodically moderate comments and email messages.
Questions? Comments: carouselsofnyc@gmail.com
Follow Us: @carouselsofnyc
For those interested in learning more about carousels we recommend:
Carousel History: The mission of CarouselHistory.com is to perpetuate education about, and enthusiasm for, historic antique carousels. Includes all 28 years of back issues of The Carousel News & Trader
National Carousel Association: Since 1973 the National Carousel Association has been working to keep America’s remaining carousels in operation. Through a wide range of programs and projects, the NCA has participated in the restoration and preservation of many of the antique carousels in operation in our country today.
Carousels & Carvings: The only major carousel restorer in the United States
Carousels of NYC Team
Kelly Karst (she/her) is the User Experience and Emerging Technology Librarian at CUNY Brooklyn College and a current M.A. student in Digital Humanities program at the CUNY Graduate Center. With a diverse background in psychology, art history, and film studies, she delves into various topics reflecting her experiences and academic pursuits. With roots in Panamá, Kelly’s personal research interests are in Latin American and Caribbean studies, as well as exploring her toddler’s hometown: NYC! Kelly was the Project Manager for Carousels of NYC and assisted with website development.
Julissa Russo (she/her), is pursuing a master’s in Digital Humanities at the CUNY Graduate Center. Within this degree, she is focusing on the Digital Pedagogy area of study. She works at Laguardia Community College as the coordinator for the Peer Advisor Academy program and coordinator of the scholarship program called Crossing the Finish Line. In the Carousels of NYC project Julissa worked on the social media, graphic design and was a field worker.
Carla Ordonez (she/her), is born and raised in New York City in a large, close-knit Latino family, and is passionate about projects that build community. As a consultant for the Administration of Child Services, a bridal and salon hairstylist, and the lead digital cartographer for the Carousels of NYC Project, Carla specializes in work that merges data, creativity, and advocacy. Whether analyzing policies, crafting hairstyles, or mapping the city, she’s committed to supporting NYC’s families and communities.
Leonard Santos (he/him) is a current M.S. student in the Data Analysis and Visualization program with an Advanced Certificate in Interactive Technology and Pedagogy at the CUNY Graduate Center. Outside of CUNY, Leonard is the Media Lab Administrator and an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Department of Media, Culture, and Communication. He focuses on digital media, technology, and practice-based critical making in his work along with queer studies and suicide prevention. In this project, Leonard is in charge of outreach, photography, and web development.
