It was mentioned earlier that there are only a small amount of
mechanical music museums around at this point, which seems to be
true; a number of them have closed over the last decade or so.
However, last year I was able to visit for the first time two newer
museums which most of the MMDers are probably familiar with.

The first was Debence Music World in Franklin, Pennsylvania, web
site http://www.debencemusicworld.com/  The collection is impressive,
especially with the rare Berry-Wood AOW orchestrion, Wurlitzer Caliola,
Wellershaus fair organ, and other such instruments.  The gift shop
area is also worth checking out.  In addition to the regular tours,
the museum has a number of special programs that are often held up
in the ballroom on the third floor.  They also have had special tours
for fourth grade students from area schools.

The second museum was the American Treasure Tour, in the Valley
Forge, Pennsylvania, area, web site  http://americantreasuretour.com/ 
The size of this collection to me was just stunning; it has to be one
of the largest of its kind in the U.S.A.  Originally owned by Don
Neilson, it includes instruments that were once part of other well
known collections, such as the Deansboro Musical Museum, Gay Nineties
Village, Harvey Roehl's collection, etc.  There are a large number of
videos on YouTube, uploaded by wurly164, that feature machines from
this museum.  American Treasure Tour is in the process of establishing
regular visiting hours for this collection.

Both of these museums are helping to introduce more and more people
to the world of mechanical music and definitely deserve support and
encouragement.  Kudos to both for making our hobby more visible to the
general public!

Mike Roseboom
Binghamton, New York