Official opening of the 50 th Anniversary Exhibition by the Worshipful the Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow, Councillor Sachin Gupta at 14.00 on Saturday 29th June.
Entertainments
Live presentations of instruments in the Museum galleries at 11.30, 12.30 & 15.30.
Tea Dance Taster 12.00 – 13.00
Learn to Quickstep & Waltz – try it to the sounds of the Wurlitzer
The Mighty Wurlitzer at 14.30 & 16.00
Played by the Museum’s Resident Organist, Chris Barber
Plus, street instruments on the lawn, a Tombola by The Friends of The Musical Museum & refreshments in the Riverview Tea Room.
The day has been sponsored by the London Borough of Hounslow and is free to residents of the borough.
Background
Fifty years ago, The Musical Museum began as a result of the passion, Frank Holland, a Londoner, had for collecting self-playing instruments. He travelled extensively in America and Canada in the late 1950’s and came across second hand reproducing player pianos. He bought one and restored it and began acquiring music rolls which he boxed up and shipped to London. Frank was a renowned eccentric given to wearing a Fez hat and not averse to demanding crying children be removed from the building, a church in Brentford. It was hugely atmospheric, if damp, cold and lacking in any basic facilities.
Five years ago the museum re-opened in a purpose built Heritage Lottery funded building in the same street, a little closer to Kew Bridge. There are a range of galleries displaying the expanded collection of instruments including sophisticated reproducing pianos, musical boxes and violin players. Additionally, there is a concert hall which can seat an audience of over two hundred people and is the venue of a series of highly popular Christmas concerts featuring the Mighty Wurlitzer cinema organ.
The museum has always been run by volunteers and even today this is very much the case. Specialist tour guides provide history and background to the collection and demonstrate instruments for visitors.
The museum is open six days a week (closed Monday’s) from 11-16.30. Admission £8.00, £6.50 concessions & accompanied children under the age of 16 free.
Kew Bridge rail, Gunnersbury tube, 237, 267 & 65 buses. Small car park.
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June 28, 2013