1:06 PM EST
In Franklin, PA
Bring back those memories of grandmother's house on a Sunday afternoon. Listen to the nickelodeons pound out a toe-tapping ragtime piece or relax with the melodic sounds produced by one of the circa 1800 music boxes. You might even get the chance to entertain the crowd by cranking the German "monkey" organ or the Gem Organette.
As the largest pubic museum of its type in the United States, DeBence Antique Music World displays a collection of over 100 mechanical musical instruments ranging from small cylinder music boxes to enormous outdoor carousel and fair organs.
This collection was begun about 50 years ago by Mr. and Mrs. Jake DeBence, then dairy farmers in Grove City. Although neither of the DeBences were musicians, both loved the music produced by these wonderful mechanical marvels. After retirement in 1960, the DeBences moved to the Franklin area and kept their music box and antique music machine collection in their barn a few miles outside of town. After Jake passed away, the museum became a non-profit organization and relocated to historic downtown Franklin.
DeBence Antique Music World is open to the public from March 15 to October 31: Tuesday Through Saturday 11 am til 4 pm; Sunday 12:30 til 4 pm and November 1st thru December 22nd: Friday and Saturday 11 am til 4 pm and Sunday 12:30 til 4 pm.
Admission is $8 for adults; $7 for Senior Citizens (60+); $3 Children (12 & under); children under 3 are admitted free. Special pricing is available for groups of 20 or more.
Located at 1261 Liberty
Street
814-432-8350
Visit DeBence Antique
Music World's Website
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12-Jan-2005 19:28:27 EST
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