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La Porte County Historical Society 
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Music Room Display This display includes two pianos, one in playable condition and one that is not. The darker piano on the left in the picture is the older of the two and is typical of the Empire style in furniture. It is made of mahogany and rosewood by Lemur Gilbert in Boston, coming to La Porte in 1854. Tradition holds that it made part of the trip by way of the Erie Canal and was the first upright piano in La Porte. The cabinet is made with two round holders for candlesticks.
The other taller piano was made in La Porte by the Hobart M. Cable Company. In business from 1903 to 1930, the piano factory was located at Factory and Darrow Streets and employed 125 people. This is an example of their player piano model and still functions. Many museum visitors have enjoyed listening to it play the old paper rolls that operate the player mechanism.
Also in the Music Room Display is a Regina Music Box, also in good working order and often played for visitors. Large metal discs with perforated tabs that pluck the tuned metal teeth revolve under the power of a spring. Setting off the entire Music Room Display is a carved walnut railing with turned balusters from the La Porte Theater, a grand 1920's movie palace now long gone. |
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Copyright © 2002 by LaPorte County Historical Society |
