I have waited a few days to respond to the posting from Tom Gregory
so that I could be rational and level headed.  Apparently, Mr. Gregory
is looking for something entirely different than what is offered at
the House on the Rock.  I live half way across the country from this
attraction.  It is a major effort for me to get there, yet I have made
that effort three times in the past five years and have thoroughly
enjoyed the experience each time since I take it for what it is: an
opportunity to escape into a fantastic fantasy world.

It is not a first rate exhibit of exquisitely restored mechanical
music machines.  I could be critical of the exhibits.  For example,
as a Violano owner who has restored his own machine, I was appalled
when I first put tokens into the rare double Violano.  The weight arms
are bottomed out, the strings are not in tune, and the bow wheels are
not functioning properly.  I know that with an hour or two of work,
it could be made presentable.  Instead of complaining about it,
I simply avoided putting tokens into it on subsequent visits.  With
any luck I will have the time someday to volunteer some time to give
it the needed adjustments if the owners are willing to accept it.  But
this is a diversion to the point of this posting.

The world is composed of a lot of different kinds of people.  For the
purposes of these comments, I want to dwell on two fundamental groups
that are best described by the Peter Pan stories and movies.  I am
thankful that I am one of those people who is both well educated yet
can happily slip into the world of make believe when appropriate.  It
is a characteristic that lets me be inquisitive and creative as a
research engineer yet to thoroughly enjoy children's movies and books
as well as phenomenal attractions like the House on the Rock.

Yes, many of the exhibits are tired and don't work as originally
designed.  If you step back to take in the exhibits as a whole rather
than concentrating on the things that don't work quite right, it is
an experience like no other.  [Think of] the character played by
Robin Williams in the movie "Hook": the accountant Peter.  He had
forgotten how to escape into the land of make believe because of his
quests in the adult world.  A real shame and a pity.

So, loosen up and permit yourself the opportunity to enter a land of
make believe like no other in the world by visiting the House on the
Rock.  Look past the individual items that are tired and over-used and
instead take in the wonder of the worlds largest carousel or the many
other exhibits that give a glimpse into a very fertile and creative
mind.  I have marveled at this world three times so far and see
something I missed previously each time.  I look forward to my next
opportunity, whenever that may happen.  For those who cannot get beyond
the things that don't work, look into volunteering some time to help
out so all of us can enjoy the exhibits even more!

Jack Breen
Southborough, Massachusetts