Neutral Milk Hotel Saves Paragon Carousel

In April, we reported that Neutral Milk Hotel asked its fans to vote online to help keep the Paragon Carousel alive and beautiful. Vote they did: American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announce d on May 18 that the carousel was the winner of a $100,000 grant to be used for restoration and repairs.

Speaking on behalf of the normally reclusive group, Julian Koster with Jeff Magnum sent out an e-mail through the band's label, Merge, imploring readers to vote up to once a day to ensure the Hull, Mass. landmark would continue adding "mechanical music and light" to the Nantasket Pier area.

The mini-campaign proved a success. Fifteen percent of all online votes were cast in favor of the 81-year-old Paragon Carousel, topping 24 other statewide historic sites competing for the funds. Although the extent of Neutral Milk Hotel's influence can't be certain, it's likely the band's intensely loyal fanbase exerted a strong pull.

It's a merry ending for a merry-go-round that's had a long and arduous history. This isn't the first time the Paragon Carousel has plowed through the rough: The official site reports that the hand-carved relic has been placed on the market twice, but devoted fans' fundraising efforts have consistently kept it whirling.