Nevada City, Montana was originally a gold-rush boom town in the 1860s. Today, the Nevada City Living History Museum offers visitors an opportunity to experience the past. The Nevada City Music Hall contains machines which represent the pinnacle of musical entertainment from about 1880 to 1930. This is one of the largest public collections of playable automatic music machines in the world.
Shown above is the Orchestral Corona Model 34 Regina 27” Disc Music Box. This music box was made in 1899. A total of 500 of this model were made. It holds 12 discs.
According to the display:
“The 27” Regina automatic disc changer has two driving springs (one for the music box and one for the disc-lifting mechanism). No electricity was needed for this instrument, making it great for the early mining camps of Montana.”
Shown above is one of the 27” discs for the Model 34.
Another one of the discs.
Shown above is the Butterfly Organ made by the B.A.B. Organ Co. about 1900.
Shown above is the Regina Sublima, a coin-operated mechanical piano made about 1910. While over 3,000 of these were manufactured between 1906 and 1921, only a few dozen still exist.
According to the display:
“It plays large cardboard music rolls which control a completely mechanical piano action. The music is unique, sounding like a chorus of strumming mandolins.”
Shown above is a 46-key Gavioli Organ with Dolle Façade made in Paris by Gaviolli et Cie in the early 1900s.
Shown above is a Wurlitzer Style 150, the second most popular Wurlitzer brass trumpet organ made.
Shown above is a Molinari Barrel Piano. This is also known as a street piano.
Shown above is a Violano Virtuoso. This is an all electric machine.
Shown above is a 65-Key Gavioli Fairground Organ made in Paris by Gaviolli et Cie about 1905.
A detail of the 65-Key Gavioli Fairground Organ.
A detail of the 65-Key Gavioli Fairground Organ.
A detail of the 65-Key Gavioli Fairground Organ.
Shown above is a 89-Key Gavioli Fairground Organ made in Paris by Gaviolli et Cie about 1900.
A detail of the 89-Key Gavioli Fairground Organ.
A detail of the 89-Key Gavioli Fairground Organ.
Shown above is a Peerless Coin Piano, Style 44, made by the Engelhardt Piano Co. in the late 1910s. This was one of America’s first coin-operated pianos. It plays endless music rolls.
Shown above is a Vocalion Reed Organ made in the late 1890s. This is a manual playing instrument used in churches and small halls.
Shown above is a Cremona Coin Piano, Style 3 made by the Marquette Piano Co. in 1912.
Shown above is a Merry-Go-Round Chariot made in the 1890s.
Shown above is a Story and Clark Player Reed Organ made about 1905. This was originally intended for home use.
According to the display:
“Player reed organs were among the first instruments to use the new pneumatic systems and ‘piano rolls’ beginning in the 1890’s. This organ has an especially beautiful inlaid oak case and porcelain pulls.”
Shown above is the piano roll.
Shown above is a Wurlitzer Coin Piano, Style DX made in 1914.
Shown above is a Seeburg Style KT made in 1926.
Shown above is a detail of the Seeburg.
This is not a music machine but produces a horoscope.
Museums 101
Museums 101 is a series of photo tours of various museum exhibits. More from this series:
Museums 101: The Nevada City Blacksmith Shop (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Newspapers and Telephones (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Dairy and Canning (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Victorian Life (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Dalles Chinatown (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Remember Ramps (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Ranch and Sawmill (Photo Diary)