When we were in Houten we took the children into Utrecht to see the Clock Museum, which had recently been renovated and certainly looked very smart with new paintwork and a rearrangement of exhibits. And a new restaurant too, which served organic food and drinks at a very reasonably price.
Abi and Raphy were rapt in the moving parts in the scene in the box above. Of course one had to deposit 50c in the slot to make everything move.
The museum was in an old church, still with the original pipe organ, as can be seen in the photo below.
A child's paradise. In this room it was all about discovering how music was made, by turning handles and watching the mechanisms strike out the tune. Fascinating.
We joined a tour to learn about how clocks and moving ornaments were made, during the last few centuries. Definitely 'toys for boys'. This street organ was typical of the type used in Holland, very heavy but could be pulled around the streets due to the flat land.
A dance hall organ, used in carnivals, and very ornate.
Raphy looking in awe at the mechanism of a very large clock.
Superb arches, newly painted and lit up.
Walter and Abi listening carefully to a pianola recital. All mechanised of course.
We made our own perforated books, very time consuming and tedious. Something went wrong because the tunes did not come out as they should have done. Oh well, all in a days work.
Marilyn Monroe? Mia took a very good photo of this wall hanging.
A very interesting museum, although much of the information was lost on me, due to translation difficulties. I must improve my Dutch.
No comments:
Post a Comment