I once asked a well-known collector, who had a large and varied
collection arranged in very accessible rooms of his home, why he
didn't send invitations out to various elementary schools to bring
carefully guided field trips for a demonstration of his collection
and a discussion of automated acoustical instruments.  (Few kids
know there is music beyond electronic loudspeakers.)

His reply was "Absolutely not, I hate kids and I certainly don't
want them in my home".  (This collector had grown children.)

Collections have been built that are all but inaccessible to any
but the very inner circle of the owners friends.  There are very few
instruments in public locations, and many of that are open to the
public are in poor playing condition, so the opportunity to interest
new and younger potential collectors is limited.

Modern pop/rock music on these instruments is not needed -- the
appreciation of them extends to their history, architecture, technology
and of course the music they play.

A suggestion to begin with would be at the MBSI and AMICA conventions
to open up the hospitality room with the instruments to the general
public and use it as a opportunity to interest potential new members
and expand media coverage of the hobby (at least on the local level).

The age restriction at the conventions should be dropped, as it
prohibits future potential members and would help to encourage a more
positive public view of these organizations as more age-inclusive
family-friendly group(s), rather than an exclusive senior citizen club
which many feel they represents today.

Stephen K Goodman - Professional Player Piano & Nickelodeon Restoration
Tarpey Village (Fresno/Clovis), California, USA
http://www.mechanicalmusicrestoration.com/