I read TJ Fisher's posting in yesterday's MMD and could share his
concern for there not being a band organ at the Smithsonian Carousel.
I recall that in the early 1980s I visited the Smithsonian Carousel
and there was a Wurlitzer organ.  I thought how wonderful it was to
have a carousel and band organ playing in such a high tourist area.
And I remember the cost of one ride was under $1.00.

The location of the carousel on the mall was a wonderful idea first
thought up by Jim Wells, whom I had met in the mid-'seventies.  At that
time, Jim, who lived in Fairfax, Virginia, owned two 66-key band organs
that played original B.A.B. rolls.  The organ on a pick-up truck was a
Gavioli converted to play the 66-key B.A.B. roll.

The second organ was the 66-key Bruder "Apollo" that originally played
at the 1964 New York World's Fair in Flushing Corona Park.  That Bruder
"Apollo" was bought by Jerry Doring and completely restored.  Jerry's
family in Arcadia, California, still has this magnificent organ and
I was lucky enough to see and hear it play in all its splendor.

So, to get back to TJ's posting, I can truly share his disappointment
at not seeing the Smithsonian Carousel with a band organ.   I am very
lucky to be working at the Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel (not far
from Vancouver, B.C.) which has an excellent Wurlitzer 146b Organ in
tip-top shape.  The City of Burnaby takes pride in their carousel and
organ, and makes sure both are in excellent condition.  Hopefully the
Smithsonian Carousel will get back its organ, so that people won't have
to ride the carousel to recorded music.

George Karpel - Carousel operator, Burnaby Museum
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada