The Menagerie

Ken Means’ first foray into carving began with a rocking horse for his daughters as a Christmas present during lean times. That one beautiful piece of art was the springboard for a lifetime love of crafting, and a 30-year journey of creating a menagerie of animals that would soon become, The Carousel of Dreams by Ken Means.

  • Alena the Little Unicorn

    *ADOPTED*

  • Carousel lion figure with decorative saddle and lights in a circus-themed setting.

    Braveheart

    *ADOPTED*

  • Carousel dog figure on a stand in a dimly lit room, surrounded by draped fabric and string lights.

    Bronze Bear

    *ADOPTED*

  • Decorative donkey carousel figure on wooden base with draped ceiling and lights

    Burrito

    *ADOPTED*

  • Carousel horse sculpture in a dimly lit room with colorful lighting.

    California Bob

    *ADOPTED*

  • A vintage carousel horse on a wheeled platform with decorative lights and draped fabric in the background.

    Daisy

    *ADOPTED*

  • A carousel donkey with decorative elements in a lit indoor setting.

    Diego

    *ADOPTED*

  • Decorative carousel deer with colorful saddle, set in an indoor venue with string lights and draped fabric above.

    Deer Spirit

    *ADOPTED*

  • Two giraffe-shaped carousel figures with a butterfly on one nose, under decorative lights.

    Elliott

    *ADOPTED*

  • A carousel ride shaped like a dog in a decorated indoor setting with string lights.

    Fang

    Meet Fang… the wolf of The Carousel of Dreams by Ken Means!

    Inspired by a bronze sculpture of a rabbit being chased by a wolf, Fang brings a story to the carousel. With his tongue hanging out and eyes locked on Jack the rabbit just ahead of him, he captures the thrill of the chase, as he will always be one jump ahead, escaping capture.

    Fang was graciously adopted by Alan Simms & Roger Walters.

  • Carousel bear figure in an indoor setting with draped fabric and string lights.

    Honey Bear

    *ADOPTED*

  • A decorative carousel seahorse under a dimly lit ceiling with draped fabric and string lights in an indoor setting.

    Ikaika Seahorse

    *ADOPTED*

  • Carousel rabbit figure in a dimly lit setting with draped fabric and string lights overhead.

    Jack the Rabbit

    *ADOPTED*

  • A colorful carousel zebra with a black and white stripe pattern, decorated with orange flowers and green leaves, standing on a metal stand with decorated string lights and a draped fabric background.

    Jasper

    *ADOPTED*

  • A detailed vintage carousel horse in an indoor setting with decorative lights and draped fabric hanging from the ceiling. The horse is mounted on a stable support stand with wheels.

    Jewels

    *ADOPTED*

  • Colorful carousel rooster with a saddle, surrounded by hanging blue drapes and string lights in a dimly lit setting.

    the Little Rooster

    *ADOPTED*

  • Carousel horse with ornate design in a warehouse setting, dramatic lighting.

    Llamrai King Arthurs Horse

    *ADOPTED*

  • A carousel horse on a stand in an indoor setting with draped fabrics and string lights.

    Nikita

    *ADOPTED*

  • A carousel horse with American flag design and gold accents, set in a dimly lit room with hanging drapes and string lights.

    Midnight Freeway

    *ADOPTED*

  • A carousel goat sculpture with ornate design, placed on a stand, set against a background of draped fabric and string lights.

    Punch the Goat

    *ADOPTED*

  • Two giraffe carousel figures indoors with string lights and draped fabric overhead.

    Rochelle Mother Giraffe

    *ADOPTED*

  • Colorful carousel horse in a dimly lit room with draped fabric and string lights overhead.

    Royal Armored Horse

    *ADOPTED*

  • A colorful carousel horse on wheels in a dimly lit room with draped fabric and string lights in the background.

    Safer

    *ADOPTED*

  • A wooden tiger carousel figure with a monkey and snake design in a brightly lit indoor setting with draped fabric and string lights.

    Shadow

    *ADOPTED*

    Meet Shadow… the tiger of The Carousel of Dreams by Ken Means!

    Inspired by the iconic tiger from The Jungle Book, Shadow had a long journey to the carousel. Ken Means first cut the pieces over five years before moving to Tennessee, but they sat untouched and tucked away under benches in his garage. After finishing Braying Donkey one morning, Ken rediscovered the original sketch, redrew the design and finally brought Shadow to life.

    Shadow now features playful nods to the Jungle Book world, including a long snake wrapped around him and a cheeky monkey eating a banana so realistic, kids try to touch it.

  • Decorative carousel horse under string lights in dimly lit room; blue and purple drapes hang above.

    Stargazer

    Meet Stargazer… a true original with a story as rich as its craftsmanship. After years of creating carousel horses for others, Ken Means realized he didn’t have one of his own. This led to Stargazer being born, and it was such a hit at show-and-tell events that it sparked the creation of even more horses.

    Inspired by the Parker style of WWI-era German carvers, Stargazer carries a touch of history and artistry in every curve.

    Stargazer has been appropriately adopted by Mia & Madeline McDowell!

  • A carousel horse with decorative roses indoors with ambient lighting and draped fabric ceiling.

    Sunday Winker

    Meet Sunday Winker... a special carousel figure honoring a beloved horse whose spirit brought joy for nearly 25 years. She wasn't just any horse, she was a champion show horse and faithful companion through countless adventures.

    As a tribute, Ken Means carved Sunday as a foul, capturing her spirit with a single meaningful embellishment: a delicate rose on her shoulder.


    Sunday Winker was graciously adopted by the Jim Cross Family.

  • Ornate carousel horse on display with draped fabric and lights

    Tanasi

    *ADOPTED*

  • A colorful frog sculpture resembling a carousel ride, mounted on a wheeled stand, with draped strings of lights in the background. The setting appears festive and illuminated.

    Toadsworth

    *ADOPTED*

  • A carousel horse adorned with colorful flowers and decorations, under hanging lights and draped fabric in a dimly-lit setting.

    Tsianina (Wildflower)

    *ADOPTED*

  • A vintage carousel horse in the center of the room with curtains and string lights overhead, illuminated by colorful spotlights.

    Wild Thing

    Meet Wild Thing, a one-of-a-kind bucking bronco brought to life by master carver Ken Means.

    Inspired by a lack of wild, dynamic figures on carousels at the time, Ken set out to create something bold, untamed and full of motion. Years later, Wild Thing is finally making its carousel debut, designed not just to turn heads but to ride with both thrill and safety in mind.

    Wild Thing has been appropriately adopted by the Franklin Rodeo by the Franklin Noon Rotary.

  • Colorful carousel horse with golden mane and tail, decorated with red and green saddle and harness, mounted on a wooden platform, inside a circus tent with draped fabric and string lights.

    Windwalker

    *ADOPTED*

  • Decorative black carousel horse with colorful ornaments on a wooden base, surrounded by draped fabric and string lights in a dimly lit room.

    Zeus

    *ADOPTED*

Get Involved

Adopt an animal in the menagerie or become a donor