Any collectors in.....

[Aaron]

Hi everyone,

So my mother and i are going to be in Washington D.C. on the 19th-21st.We'll be staying in Baltimore and going into D.C. on the 20th for the Presidential Inauguration.Yes i got tickets... So does anyone want to show off there collection or even just recommend some place for my mother and i to visit while there?other then the Inauguration we don't really have anything else planned.

Thanks,
Aaron

[MordEth]

Aaron,

You might talk to Zeppy. Although he might be too busy with his plans of world domination to show off his collection; I don’t know.

I think that he is the only collector of which I am aware in that area, but I am woefully uninformed.

— MordEth

[Zeppy]

I'm in the DC burbs. Feel free to PM me. Not sure if I'll be able to meet up (hosting our own babyshower, and having out of town guest...did we even look at a calendar when planning this>?).

At minimum, I can give some ideas about intersting things to see or visit...although I'm guessing you probably should plan to have as many of your meals in Baltimore as you can (things are aready going crazy in the city).

[PhonoJack]

Aaron,

For what to do during your free time in Washington DC, before you go see if the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History has an active exhibit related to the phonograph and optionally telephony and communications research where Edison played a key role. The Smithsonian has an extensive archive of phonograph related artifacts including some very nice machines. However a phono-related exhibit might not be on display during your visit, so be sure to check this before going. There are actually many buildings and it would take a few days to see everything.

During my last visit, I picked up a then not so common book “Phono-Graphics” by Arnold Schwartzman at the Smithsonian bookstore. Maybe they’ll have other similar books of interest, such as George Paul and Tim Fabrizio’s excellent series.

Also, the most comprehensive archive of Emile Berliner's papers and documents can be found in the United States Library of Congress, Berliner archive in Washington DC. This archive is not generally open to the public but with your interest and enthusiasm for the hobby, history and people, I bet you can sell your way in with a little help from Google.

Because traffic might be heavy when it’s time to go home, (a good excuse) maybe you can convince your Mom to drive south to Orlando FL to see the Antique Phonograph Show which starts on Friday, Jan 23rd.

Have fun during your trip to the capital.

Jack

[MordEth]

For what to do during your free time in Washington DC, before you go see if the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History has an active exhibit related to the phonograph and optionally telephony and communications research where Edison played a key role. The Smithsonian has an extensive archive of phonograph related artifacts including some very nice machines. However a phono-related exhibit might not be on display during your visit, so be sure to check this before going. There are actually many buildings and it would take a few days to see everything.

Jack,

These are excellent suggestions, and had I been thinking of anything other than members in the D.C. area, I should have suggested them.

Having toured all of these museums with my family when I was younger, I cannot recommend them highly enough. If Aaron is fortunate enough to be able to catch exhibits focusing on phonographs or related topics, so much the better.

Perhaps Zeppy can offer him further suggestions—my knowledge of D.C. (apart from certain historical places of interest and the museums) is largely nonexistent.

— MordEth

[Zeppy]

For what to do during your free time in Washington DC, before you go see if the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History has an active exhibit related to the phonograph and optionally telephony and communications research where Edison played a key role. The Smithsonian has an extensive archive of phonograph related artifacts including some very nice machines. However a phono-related exhibit might not be on display during your visit, so be sure to check this before going. There are actually many buildings and it would take a few days to see everything.

Jack,

These are excellent suggestions, and had I been thinking of anything other than members in the D.C. area, I should have suggested them.

Having toured all of these museums with my family when I was younger, I cannot recommend them highly enough. If Aaron is fortunate enough to be able to catch exhibits focusing on phonographs or related topics, so much the better.

Perhaps Zeppy can offer him further suggestions—my knowledge of D.C. (apart from certain historical places of interest and the museums) is largely nonexistent.

— MordEth

The worst part about being a local is that you never actually go to the touristy places. I think I haven't been to the Smithsonian in at least 5 years (and that was when I had family in town).

All that aside, I have to say anyone going into the city for the inaguration better be ready for some insanity. They've already started closing streets off. Most of the bridges from the south coming into the city are going to be closed, the center of the city if going to be closed to all traffic. No cabbies in the center of the city...and up to 2 million people coming in.

Aaron and his mom are far braver than I.

I'll watch from the comfort of my living room while enjoying my 4 day weekend

[3victrolas]

Having lived there most of my life, I'd say those museums are going to be a zoo that week. Worth seeing, but the crowds, oh my gosh! Good luck!

[Aaron]

i have been in those museums multiply time but i still love them every time i go.Unfortunately though i have yet to be there when the phonograph exhibits are out....

Thanks for all the suggestions,

Aaron

[Edisonfan]

Aaron,

The Museum of American History, is still undergoing renovations, even though the museum is open.

Paul