#6. Music House Museum and BMX Racing

One of the attractions near Traverse City that we wanted to see is the Music House Museum. A small museum that started with a local architect’s collection, the Music House specializes in antique automated musical instruments ranging from small music boxes to their showpiece, a gigantic dance hall organ which is 30 feet wide and nearly as tall. Built in 1922 in Antwerp, Belgium it is one of only a handful of these organs still in existence and fully operational. It plays more than 2000 dance tunes and light classics – all by itself!

Visitors to the museum are conducted by knowledgeable guides, volunteers who take you on a two hour stroll through the musical the past.

All instruments are operational and short selections give the visitor a true sense of what entertainment was like before radio, TV and CD players. This 1938 juke box has five instruments, all choreographed by the paper roll.

A theater organ that was manufactured in 1944 and is still used today to accompany silent films occasionally played at the museum.

Many specialty players, such as the Mills’ Violano-Virtuoso that plays a violin and 44 key piano were demonstrated. This all-electric instrument had 26 patents and it was declared one of the eight greatest inventions of the new century when it was displayed in 1909. Can you see the rollers that act as the bow and the many fingers?

Many other early Victrolas, radios, and juke boxes are on display for visitors to see at their leisure.

A BMX bicycle track was on the 4H Fairgrounds where we stayed for several days. Around 6pm on Saturday we walked from our campsite over to the 800 foot long track and were amazed to see scores of cars and many eager riders assembled for their last meet of the season. And guess what? This is the 3^rd best attended BMX track in the US, just behind one in California that has a lot longer season.

The age range surprised us – from 3-year-olds on pedal-less bikes practicing their balance skills (fully helmeted!) to a 43 year old local bar manager, who is ranked 15^th nationally. Also at the meet was the nationally top ranked 15 year old girl. The oldest age group that races is 55+. 

With the different age, gender and skill ranges represented, this sport has a much wider appeal than we realized.

Topping off our 5 day stay in Traverse City, we were treated to a gorgeous sunset.

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