Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > May 2014 > 2014.05.07 > 02Prev  Next


Smithsonian Carousel and Band Organ
By T. J. Fisher

I was mercifully in Washington, D.C., for a field trip yesterday.
I miss the feel of a city while I'm at school!  I took a moment to
ride this carousel and I recalled Andy Park's MMD posting here a few
days ago.

I recall a sign describing the Wurlitzer 153 as "under restoration,"
but it was removed at least a few years ago, and recordings have
been played from a stereo inside a Merri-Org box for as long as
I can remember.  If I had to guess, I would say that there are no
current plans to return the band organ to this location.

Of course I wish every carousel in the country had a band organ, but
the lack of one here is particularly too bad.  Although the carousel is
considered something of a tourist trap at $3.50 a ticket, its location
on the Washington Mall makes it very visible and much discussed.

If a band organ were there, it would be a fine opportunity for
someone to consider working with the owners to install a small display
describing its operation and perhaps offering pamphlets describing the
activities of the various enthusiast groups.  I don't doubt that some
folks would take an interest in mechanical music, and information about
how to pursue that interest, home with them.

I would be glad to volunteer myself for such an endeavor if that band
organ returns.  I wrote down the number to contact the current owner
and will call for information.  I'll report here if I learn anything.
It's worth noting that I believe the carousel is a fully private
concession, not subject to the Smithsonian, so the Institution won't
have had any interest in the return of the organ over these many years.

Really, in such a visible location, it's too bad not to have an organ
if the owners have one available!

TJ Fisher
Lexington, Virginia

 [ Found at http://mallhistory.org/items/show/197 --
 [
 [  "On April 12, 1967, a classic wood merry-go-round with 33 animals
 [  and 2 chariots moved to the National Mall near the Smithsonian
 [  Arts and Industries Building.  Rides cost 25 cents apiece.  In
 [  1981 museum officials replaced the worn-out merry-go-round with
 [  the present, larger carousel, a 1947 vintage model with 60 horses.
 [  Music for the first merry-go-round came from a Wurlitzer band
 [  organ with wooden pipes and bellows.  Today the carousel's music
 [  wafts from a CD player."
 [
 [ -- Robbie


(Message sent Wed 7 May 2014, 17:56:51 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Band, Carousel, Organ, Smithsonian

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page