In June my wife and I made a special trip to San Francisco to visit
Musee Mecanique before the doors are closed at that location forever,
as the building is being torn down.  We had a delightful visit and
spent some time with Larry Speer, the curator of the collection.  When
we identified ourselves as MMDers, members of AMICA and MBSI, we were
treated royally.  We were given a special CD of one of the Seeburg KT's
on display.  Larry is in the process of making more CDs of other
instruments.

During our visit we noticed that the young teenagers were the people
most fascinated with the machines and musical marvels.  They were
pumping quarters into the machines so fast that Larry Speer had a tough
time keeping up with their needs to make change.  A few were working
the "antique" video machines, but most of the quarters were going into
the mechanical musical instruments, especially the coin pianos!

We spoke to a lady who gathers up a group of teens every week to bring
to the museum just for the pure enjoyment of seeing their eyes light
up, watch them come alive and spend a day at one of the best amusement
parks in the country.  We sent MMD a few photos of our visit.

We are also happy that the Musee will find at least a temporary home
on Fisherman's Wharf, and possibly a permanent home in the former San
Francisco Mint.

Happily from New York City,
Vincent Morgan

 [ See photos at http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/  -- Robbie