1958
2008
50 Years

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Mechanical Music Museums and Collections



The Amersham Organ Museum

Buckinghamshire

Formerly known as Teddy Reed's Organ Collection. By appointment, Tel: 01494 433948. For Open Days, see the events page. The first edition of the museum's newsletter is available here (reproduced by permission).
Unit 1, 28 Plantation Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP6 6HJ


Dingles Steam Village

Devon

The Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre is proud to present the National Fairground Collection. Instruments include: 35 key Limonaire fair organ, Triumph Autopiano player piano, rare 46 key Limonaire trumpet barrel organ.
Contact: 01566 783425, Lifton, Devon PL16 0AT


Hollycombe Steam & Woodland Garden Society

Hampshire

The world's biggest steam-powered Edwardian Fair plus other steam-powered attractions. Organs include: 98-key Marenghi, 'The Peacock', 89-key Gavioli, 62-key Gavioli trumpet barrel organ, 45-key Limonaire, plus others visiting or played occasionally. £1 reduction for FOPS members. Tel: +44 (0)1428 724900.
Contact: Mrs Karen Feltham, Hollycombe Steam Collection, Iron Hill, Liphook, GU30 7LP. 2 miles from the A3 on the Liphook - Midhurst road.


St Albans Organ Theatre

Hertfordshire

The late Charles Hart's collection consisting of Mortier, Bursens and Decap Organs, Music boxes, pianos and two Theatre pipe organs. There are concerts on the Theatre pipe organs once a month from March to December on Saturday evenings. Open the second Sunday of each month from March to November 2.15 p.m. - 4.30 p.m. for a demonstration of the other instruments. A registered Charitable Trust. Contact: info@stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk or tel:03003 65 65 65 or 320 Camp Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire. AL1 5PE
320 Camp Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 5PE.


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Manchester Mechanical Music Collection.

Lancashire

A small private collection of mechanical musical instruments including a 92-key Mortier cafe dance organ, Seeburg American nickleodeon, Lockman 24.5 inch music (disc) box, Larg cylinder music box, Ampico grand piano / Ampico upright piano, etc. Small groups welcome by prior arrangement. Open most Saturdays. Tel: +44 (0)161 681 3656. [23-Jan-2005]
Contact: Phil Henshall, 75 Parkfield Road North, New Moston, Manchester, M40 3RG


The Musical Museum

Middlesex

In addition to our live demonstration tours featuring a wide variety of self-playing instruments, there will be an exhibition showing the layout and internal design of the new building. Good selection of automatic musical instruments from musical boxes to a Wurlitzer organ. Telephone 020 8560 8108
399 High Street, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0DU


Cotton Mechanical Music Museum

Suffolk

Organs include Mortier, Decap, Limonaire, Bruder, Gavioli. Sunday afternoons only, June to September inclusive, 14:30 - 17:30. Admission: Adults £5, Children £1. Contact Jonathan Ling 01379 783350.
Cotton, Stowmarket, IP14 4QN.


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Victorian Reed Organ & Harmonium Museum

Yorkshire

100+ Reed organs - representing most types. Tel: +44 (0)1274 585601 (after 6 pm), Mobile: 07976 535980
Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Saltaire Village, Shipley, BD18 4PS.


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The Bygones Museum

Oxfordshire

Contains a collection of gramophones, a Tomasso street piano c1900. Open Wednesday-Sunday 10:30am-4:30pm, April-October. Restaurant and gift shop. Adults £6.50. Concessions for Senior Citizens & Children. [29-Jan-2005]
Bygones Museum, Butlin Farm, Claydon, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX17 1EP


The Thursford Collection

Norfolk

An Aladdin's Cave of majestic old road engines and mechanical organs of magical variety, all gleaming with colour. Live musical shows featuring ten very different mechanical pipe organs and starring Robert Wolfe in the Wurlitzer Show. Old farm buildings, transformed into a small village with a touch of Charles Dickens' England house the Thursford shops, refreshment areas and ice cream parlour. Christmas Spectacular Shows: Nov-Dec (bookable). Tel: +44 (0)1328 878477, Fax: +44 (0)1328 878415.
Laurel Farm, The Street, Fakenham, NR21 0AS


Strumpshaw Steam Museum

Norfolk

We have Steam Engines,100 ton working Beam Engines, Narrow Gauge Railway, 1930s Fairground Ark (under restoration) Mechanical Organs and Memorabilia. Enjoy a peaceful Countryside Walk and don't forget a visit to the Rare Breeds . We have a Gift Shop for souvenirs and mementos. Our cafeteria is newly furnished and is ideal for cups of Tea or Coffee and soft drinks, with a selection of cakes pastries and sandwiches.
Strumpshaw Steam Museum, Strumpshaw, Norwich, NR13 4HR


Graham Atkinson's 'Scarborough Fair Collection'

North Yorkshire

Visit The Scarborough Fair Collection and take a trip back in time to a bygone age. Marvel at the gleaming Showman's Engines, including 'The Iron Maiden', the world's most famous Showmans Engine. Not only is the Scarborough Fair Collection home to a number of Showman's Engines, many built by companies such as Fowler & Garrett, but also contained are some of the mightiest Mechanical organs in th UK. Experience the glorious sights and sounds of our fairground heritage by visiting us. Tel: 01723 586698
Flower of May Holiday Park, Lebberston Cliff, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 3NU


Salomons

Kent

Located in Kent and set in 36 acres of gardens, woodlands, rolling parklands & lakes, Salomons is an exclusive, secluded Kent conference and training venue. Sir David Lionel Salomons was a keen scientist and engineer and a pioneer of road transport. He installed one of the country's first domestic electric lighting systems here and built the amazing 'Science Theatre' with a unique Welte player organ and the magnificent stable block. 01892 507630
Salomons, David Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0TG



Miscellaneous



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Bredgar & Wormshill Steam Railway

Kent

Narrow gauge (2ft) railway. Collection of 12 steam locos, beam engine, agricultural steam engines, showmans steam tractor and vintage cars on display and in action. Open first Sunday each month, May to October (1 May, 5 June, 3 July, 7 August, 4 September, 2 October 2005) 11.00 am - 5.00 pm. Groups at other times by arrangement. 56-key Dutch street organ, refreshments, picnic site, ample parking. Contact: Bill Best, Tel: +44 (0)1622 884254. Fax: +44 (0)1622 884668. [23-Jan-2005]
The Warren, Bredgar, Sittingbourne, ME9 8AT


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The Original Great Maze

Essex

July to September each year. The biggest mind-bender in the world - 5 miles of pathway in a maze. Info: +44 (0)1376 344146. 2 adults and 1 child free for FOPS members. Contact: Rachael Banham. [6-Feb-2006]
Blake House Craft Centre, Blake End, Rayne Braintree, CM77 6RA


Crich Tramway Village

Derbyshire

The home of the National Tramway Museum. An 87-key Gavioli in the Exhibition Hall is regularly played. Contact: Cara Marchant, Marketing Co-ordinator, Tel: +44 (0)1773 854321. Fax: +44 (0)1773 854320. [27-Apr-2005]
Crich, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5DP


Cuckooland

Cheshire

Visitors to Cuckooland will be astonished at the variety, quality and ingenuity associated with this ancient craft, which is regarded as the most important of any collection of its type in Britain, Europe, and the World. There is also a collection of Fair Organs.
Cuckoo Land, The Old School, Chester Road, Tabley, Cheshire, WA16 0HL



Overseas Mechanical Music Museums



National Museum from Musical Clock to Street Organ Utrecht.

Netherlands

Carillon clocks, musical boxes, pianolas, the singing nightingale, orchestrions including the famous Violina, street, fairground and dance organs; the National Museum 'From Musical Clock to Street Organ' has it all. +31 (0)30 231 27 89
Steenweg 6, 3511 JP Utrecht, the Netherlands


The Haarlem organ museum Holland.

Netherlands

The re-located museum is now open. Please visit the website for up-to-date information. 10 street and dance organs (Mortier, Gavioli, Bursens, Marenghi, Carl Frei). Entry is free. Contact: Cornelis Ruijgvoorn, Watermuur 50, 1991 JR Velserbroek. Tel: +31 23 5385049.
Stichting Stadsorgel Haarlem 'Het Kunkels Orgel' Kuppersweg 3, Haarlem


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Museum Musica

Netherlands

Museum contains draairorgels including a 1902 Wilhelm Bruder, harmoniums and pianolas. Tel: +31 599 648756. [28-Jan-2005]
Scheepswerfkade 34-35, 9503 PB Stadskanaal-nnord


Museum Gaviolizaal Theatre

Netherlands

This is for the lovers of the Helmond dance organs, which formerly stood in the ballroom of Bocken and later in the Helmonds Organ Museum. Today they are in the Gaviolizaal at Torenstraat in Helmond.
Torenstraat 36, Helmond (5701) in the region of Noord-Brabant (Nederland)


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Musee de la Musique Mecanique

France

We oppose the departure of the organs from Helmond.
Musee de la Musique Mechanique, F-74260, Les Gets, France.


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Anstalt fur Mechanische Musik

Austria

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Schulgartengasse 12, A 2700, WR Neustadt


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Deutsches Uhrenmuseum

Germany

This beautiful heritage must not be lost!
Robert-Gerwig-Platz 1, D-78120, Furtwangen


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Deutsches Museum

Germany

There are around 750 musical instruments in the exhibition, with 40 mechanical instruments, including a trumpet automaton, Kaufmann Belloneon, Bontems bird automaton, Steinway/Welte piano, Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violina, plus the Thalkirchner Orgel (the oldest church organ preserved in Bavaria). Tel: +49 89 2179-1. Fax: +49 89 2179-513. Open daily 09:00 - 17:00, Wednesdays 09:00 - 20:00. Closed in January, Shrove Tuesday, Good Friday, May, November, 24, 25, 31 December. [31-Jan-2005]
Deutsches Museum, 80306, Munchen.


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Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett

Germany

One of the largest German collections of self-playing musical instruments from the 18th to the 20th century. Open March to December daily from 10:00, January and February on application. Conducted tours in English. Tel: +49 6722 49217. Fax: +49 6722 4587; e-mail. [22-Aug-2008]
Oberstrasse 27-29, D 65385, Rudesheim am Rhein


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St. Georgener Deutsches Phonomuseum

Germany

The collection gives the visitor an insight into the rich history of development of mechanical musical instruments, on the Edison Phonograph (1877) until record players of the 1980s. Tel: +49 (0)7724 87187, Fax: +49 (0)7724 87139. [29-Jan-2005]
St. Georgener Deutsches Phonomuseum, Hauptstrasse 9, D-78112, St Georgen (Black Forest)


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Technik Museum Speyer

Germany

Technik Museum, Incorporating Der Wilhelmsbau Museum, including mechanised musical instruments, historic fashion, designer dolls, toys, many daily items from beginning of 20th century. Historical organs, and since 2002 a big Welte Philharmonie Organ. Contact: Frau Corinna Handrich,Tel: +49 (0)6232 670868. Fax: +49 (0)6232 670820. [29-Jan-2005]
Technik Museum, D-67346, Speyer


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Elztalmuseum Waldkirch

Germany

A collection of organs and orchestrions from the famous organ builders of Waldkirch; Bruder, Ruth, etc. The museum featured the grand opening of the restored ex-Duncan Price 89-keyless Black Forest Gavioli, although not yet completed. Displays of the documented history of the firms and examples of the workshops and tools they used. The museum has recently undergone renovation work and improvements to visitor accessability. Concerts held in the museum from March 27th - October 30th. at 3pm. Tel: +49 7681 478530. Fax: +49 7681 25562. [17-Jun-2008]
Elztalmuseum Waldkirch Kirchplatz 14, D 79183, Waldkirch.


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Museum of Music Automatons

Switzerland

Open Tuesday - Sunday, 11:00 - 18:00. Also open for groups by appointment. The items were collected by Dr H. C. Heinrich Weiss-Stauffacher and include organs, music-boxes and watches. Special exhibition: Station automatons of Switzerland, from 25th Feb. to 12th June, 2005. Contact: Dr Christoph E Hanggi, Director, Tel: +41 (0)61 915 98 80. Fax: +41 (0)61 915 98 90. [29-Jan-2005]
Museum fur Musikautomaten, Bollhubel 1, CH-4206, Seewen.


DeBence Antique Music World

America

Franklin Pennsylvania. See and hear over 100 old-time automatic musical instruments. (814) 432-8350
1261 Liberty Street, Franklin Pennsylvania 16323


Dr Ted's Musical Marvels.

America

We have so many amazing instruments that will make you tap, wiggle, swing, sway, rock, roll and stomp to the music. 812-937-4250
Dr. Ted's Musical Marvels, 11896 South US 231 Dale, IN 47523


The Sanfilippo Foundation

America

The Sanfilippo 'Place de la Musique is known worldwide for its magnificent collections of beautifully restored antique music machines, phonographs, arcade and gambling machines, chandeliers, art glass, the world's largest restored theatre pipe organ, the most spectacular European salon carousel in existence, street and tower clocks, steam engines and other functional mechanical antiques, displayed within a breathtaking French Second Empire setting.
Contact by email only


Revelstoke Nickelodeon Museum

Canada

Enjoy a one hour guided tour of our mechanical musical instruments, encompassing Victorian musical boxes, player pianos, player reed and pipe organs. Contact: David & Lesley Evans, Tel/Fax: +1(250) 837-5250. [10-Mar-2007]
111 First Street West, Revelstoke BC, Canada, V0E 2S0.


Argentinian Barrel Organ Museum - La Salvia

Argentina

Entire collection of all the models of barrel organs manufactured in Buenos Aires by La Salvia family. Singular in Latin America the integral building and creation of its own designs and models is a distinctive feature in La Salvia's workshop.


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