Volunteers have been fighting for years to restore Nunley's Carousel, but now they say it is once again in danger of falling into disrepair because of the pandemic.

Beth Obergh, of Wantagh, volunteered her time, money and supplies to care for Nunley's Carousel, which is located at the Cradle of Aviation.

"When five generations, five, show up to the carousel and they want the babies to ride, it's important to the people of the county," Obergh said.

All 41 horses including the one lion are still in mint condition and that's all thanks to the staff and volunteers who help maintain them.

But with the carousel closed to the public since March, the museum even had to temporarily shutter its gates to 60% of its staff and volunteers, including Obergh, who at the time was a paid employee.

Andrew Parton, the president of the Cradle of Aviation, says it was a hard decision but it's what he had to do.

"It's tough because the revenue is way down and unfortunately we had to make some serious cuts," Parton said.

Obergh recently wrote a letter to the county explaining the importance of the carousel and its history. Parton says he too hopes the museum and carousel will be up and running again.

The work was a labor of love for Obergh. Now she doesn't know the fate of the carousel that she cared so much for.

"My concern is going forward that the Cradle of Aviation doesn't have the expertise and quite frankly the interest to be the stewards of the carousel," she said.

The museum is working on a meeting with Nassau County to discuss the carousel and other financial issues.