While very nice that some monkey organs are showing up for an event,
it should be mentioned that Holland, Michigan, is the home of Farrand
and Votey Organs, starting in 1883, where nearly 40,000 reed organs
were produced each year.
In 1895 they produced a push-up Pianola player piano device which
was the beginning of the modern player piano. The company was bought
in 1906 by the Bush & Lane Piano Company who produced high quality
Cecillian player and Welte reproducing pianos until 1930.
Have fun in tulip town with the festival that actually starts in May
but remember the mechanical music history of the location. The tulip
festival did not even start until 1927, well after the prime of street
organs.
Kurt Morrison
Tacoma, Washington - where the tulip festival is already done and
over with.
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