Gennett visit and collection visit

[JohnM]

Lauri and I went to Richmond, Indiana last weekend and visited what is left of the Starr Piano Company/Gennett empire. Some of the buildings still stand, but they are closed up as the last company that occupied them has gone out of business. There is a large glitzy furniture store in the Whiewater Gorge neighborhood (the old industrial part of the city along the river where StarrPCo. was located) that houses the displays and gift shop of the Starr-Gennett Foundation scattered in a couple of locations in the building amongst the sofas and recliners and fake Tiffany lamps. Lots of Gennett records (not the good kind) hanging on walls and from fishing line, a three-panel big as life blow-up of a Gennett recording session, foam-core informational panels scattered about, a couple of Starr pianos and a piano crate, a couple of Starr phonographs. A rather modest display but interesting nonetheless. We also drove past the huge old Gennett mansion which is now used for receptions and the like. Leaving town, we took US 40 -- the old 'National Road' -- west toward Indianapolis, and stopped at a minimum of ten antique shops/malls along the way. Very fertile hunting grounds, but although I saw a lot of stuff, I didn't buy anything. I even ran into a serious phono collector friend from Ohio at Webb's antique mall in Centerville. Small world, but I'd hate to have to paint it!

Yesterday we had a late Christmas with my sister and her side of the family, and also visited a collector friend who lives in the same town as she does. Saw many lovely things such as a 9-54, a Circassian XVII, a Beethoven Edisonic, Sheraton inlay DD, Brunswick Cortez, Columbia DeLuxe, mahogany Opera, Vic VI, etc. Had a wonderful time looking and listening!

[Discman]

John,
Did you visit the Wayne County historical museum in Richmond, they have some Starr/Gennett artifcats on display.
Dave

[JohnM]

No, but we will next time. Thanks for the tip!