Stories

You know, I've worked at the Smithsonian for 31 years and seeing some of the collections online reminds me of some stories. I enjoy going to work every day because of the wonderful people. I've made friends with folks who can tell you anything you want to know about animals and their behavior, music, art, history, technology, sociology & anthropology, plants, minerals, volcanos. What an education!

Years ago, I had the opportunity to go into the restoration room in the Division of Musical Instruments with the curator, and my supervisor. It was filled with musical instruments
that were being restored! How cool is that?!

There was a Stradavarius violin, a pianaforte that was inlaid with mother-of-pearl, several mother-of-pearl inlaid guitars. There was an organ (used by organ grinder w/monkey) that we "howled about.

During the Piano 300 exhibit, I got to hang out around Liberachi's 125 lb. rhinestone-studded piano. It took 3 of us to lift the lid. Got to see & hear the President of Yamaha Corp. play one of the early digital keyboards. Got to see Irving Berlin's transposing piano. That was a fun exhibit to work on: http://www.piano300.si.edu/collectn.htm

Cool things happen at the Smithsonian. Check it out: http://www.si.edu