PITTSFIELD, Mass.—Community members of all ages rode Berkshire Carousel on Saturday for the first time in years. 

Founders James and Jackie Shulman aimed to counter negativity around Pittsfield after General Electric left the area, while bringing people together for a common cause.  Around 170 carousels are operating in the United States today, and Pittsfield's is estimated to be one of six that were carved by communities. 

"I grew up in Pittsfield in the 1950s and early 60s, and I love this city. We had 21 playgrounds. We had parades all the time. We never locked our door. We had seven movie theaters and three drive-in theaters," James "Jim" Shulman said, pointing to the negative things he would hear about PCB pollution, unemployment, and rising addiction rates when visiting his hometown. 

He then looked to his wife and said, "I'd like to do something to give back to the community, and I'd like to do something that brings people together to create a legacy, something positive that will help them and that they can be proud of." 

The carousel re-opened with a new patio and volunteer effort behind it.  Efforts originally began in the late 2000s, and the ride hadn't operated since 2018. 

"It's been closed for quite a while, and a great team of volunteers decided to organize and reopen," Carousel Coordinator Janet Crawford explained.

It was offered to the city through a conveyance and donation of property and met with some hesitance before the offer was withdrawn early this year.  Now, a group of more than 50 volunteers learned everything from running the ride to detailing the horses, and it is run by nonprofit Berkshire Carousel Inc., with the Shulmans supporting operating costs. 

"We're very lucky. The community has worked with us, they've been very supportive," Crawford said, explaining that they hope to create fun memories for a "very long time."