I've been trying to put out a solid article on this museum for months
now, and just a few weeks ago I wrote to this museum requesting a ton of
information.  David L. Stiffler, the Executive Director, sent me the
following e-mail message in response to my requests for information.  I
have not changed any of his words, but I have changed the order of some
of the sentences.  I hope you all find this very interesting and visit
this place sometime!  It is in the very uppermost part of Michigan's
lower peninsula, in the US.  Canadians are closer than most people to it!

Damon Atchison
Damon66@juno.com


                The Music House at Harmony Village

"This is our 14th season open to the public.  It is a nonprofit
corporation controlled by a board of directors.  I am the Executive
Director.

"Four significant collections were organized together to form the nucleus
collection.  Over 200 donors have contributed pieces for exhibition.  It
is on a 16.5 acre site which is being developed as "Harmony Village"
centered on a complex of turn-of-the-century farm structures.

"There are extensive galleries of the history of pioneer radio and the
phonograph.  All instruments are restored by museum technicians.  To list
a few of the instruments:  27" diameter disc 1899 Regina Corona music
box, nickelodeons, numerous classic juke boxes, Reproduco organ,
Violano-Virtuoso, art-case Weber Duo-Art and Chickering Ampico grand
pianos, the "Columbia" 52 keyless 1913 Bruder band organ from Wildwood,
NJ, 1917 Estey 13-rank pipe organ with Wangerin player,

"The focal point of the museum is the huge "Armarylis" Mortier 97-key
dance organ, built in 1922 for the Victoria Palace Ball Room, Ypres,
Belgium.  Its facade is over 30' wide and 18' high.  Organ pipes and
percussions produce a sound of a large European dance orchestra.  Its
musical library contains over 2,200 selections.

"Each visitor receives a guided musical tour of over an hour.  Admission:
Adults @ $6.50, kids 6 to 16 @ $2, Special rates and schedules are
available for groups by reservation.  Call Harmony Group Tour Services.
The Music House is open from May 1 to October 31, Mon. - Sat. 10am to
4pm, Sun. noon to 4pm.  Holiday hours mid Nov. through Dec. are similar.

"For information, contact the Music House, 7377 Us 31 North, P.O. Box
297, Acme, MI 49610 ; phone: 616-938-9300, fax: 616-938-3650.  Drive 8
miles NE of Traverse City on US31 on the way to Charlevoix.  You can't
miss it.

David L. Stiffler
The Music House at Harmony Village
HarmonyVillage@JUNO.com "