The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey guys I wanted to take a sec to talk about our little museum in Mount Pleasant Texas. A little over a year ago I lived off of Ramen Noodles for a few months lol and put together a local one day exhibit at a hotel here in Mount Pleasant with eight machines. I had a lot more people then I thought, show up. A month later a good friend of mine who is a business owner was drinking coffee with me and I said jokingly, "let's make a museum". He said he had some extra room, and why not. We combined our collections and it peaked a lot of local interest, most people around here had never seen a cylinder record or player before. Next thing I know another friend gets involved, and I interest him and he wants to have a collection. I was then given a unique opportunity, and also became the curator. Now we have become sort of a local "thing to see", some local magazines have wrote about us, and we have got about three other people interested into seriously collecting. We are even trying to join a network of collectors for phonographs, radios, music boxes, records, etc.. Near by into what we call T.A.P.S. (Texas Antique Phonograph Society).

The forum has been a valuable resource, and I have learned a lot from here. Thanks y'all. Here is our website we put together recently, http://PhonoINC.tripod.com . if you are a collector near us we would love to know you. If you are in the area and want to come by let me know I'm there usually Thurs to saturdays and my email is [email protected]. I do local presentations for museums, lions clubs, and rotary clubs in the area. We are now attempting to do recording demonstrations for these groups and schools now have asked us. We are adding improvments such as shelving, a sign, videos to websites, and brochures here February. I've had a pretty good turn out with sponsors to do this, this year. If anyone would like to become a sponsor or donate you can get in touch with me through the same email.
P.s.
The museum collection hosts a number of different kinds of phonos, not just Edisons. We have an Eldrige Johnson Victor and others, a shell-o-phone, and even a multiphone.

Hello,
What a great idea! Looks like an interesting little museum with some nice machines. I really like that oak wood grained cygnet horn that you have on the Edison home phonograph. I wish you good luck on your museum project.
Pete

Dustie,

Congrats on a great idea well executed. A fine way to promote interest.

Clay

Thank you guys. This hobby is the funnest one I've had. I love it when people say " honestly when you said phonographs, I thought..... boring, but after thirty minutes here I am impressed at the history". The trick is finding things that can relate to just about Anyone. For instance I have an Edison army navy, and many war buffs gravitate to it. While I've had a guy I know in college come listen too and analyze the Roosevelt cylinders for part of his thesis. I've been collecting since I was nine, and plan to collect the rest of my life.

Anyone going to be at Orlando?
If all goes well I'll be there. I'm anxious to meet more collectors. My real name is Dustin Ellis.

Great idea Dustie, If I were a few thousand miles closer I'd happily contribute to your museum!

Excellent idea Dustin. Thanks for sharing your idea and web page.
Bruce

Dustie, What a great way to share your hobby with the general public. It can do nothing but create interest and enthusiasm as well as educate the patrons of your museum. You are an inspiration and motivator for the rest of us. Jerry Blais