The above fire has caused many casualties and a lot of damage.It has also reached Nisco's museum of mechanical music located at the entrance to Ein-Hod artists' colony. The museum houses a private, unique collection of mechanical music devices accumulated by Nisco (Nisan Cohen) over 45 years.
web photo - the fire got to the small museum and caused damage
Anyway, now, six and a half years after the fire, the little museum continues its activity of tours and concerts taking place regularly at the spot. It is a bit off the beaten track, and there are a few stairs to climb to the entrance (apparently no easy access for people with disabilities, if at all). However,it's kind of a "gem" , a place for all ages, and well worth a visit.
At the entrance (also exit) there's a small shop. where one could buy mementos relevant to the items and themes of the museum.
stairs up to the entrance of the museum
the shop
inside the shop
wooden boxes; you can buy one and make your own music
Downstairs, the museum, looks dull and simple with plastic chairs for the audience - but it's the musical devices and the presenter (the owner) that make it come alive and interesting. The collection comprises: musical boxes, gramophones, a 170 year old organ, a concertina, phonographs, manivelles, hand operated automatic piano , old records ,you name it ...
The owner of the collection - Nisco, a charismatic gentleman of over eighty, with an american accent and a dog which seems very attached to him - conducts the show. He does so with humor and jokes, interracting with the public during his explanations and musical demonstrations. Sometimes, he uses his singing voice which is quite a pleasant one.
Nisco in action
Nisco goes from one musical device to another to explain things
Primar, the latest aquisition - organ from Belgium
The museum tour lasted about an hour and it was all fun and pleasure.
Oh my God! What a horrible catastrophe! Thank God they reopened!!!
ReplyDeleteMuseums and Libraries are places that I really adore. I can spend lots of time visiting wonderful art or books displayed. So, Duta you put a big smile on my face. This post includes everything I love: museum visit, music boxes and ancient musical instruments, discover interesting history. And I loved the 1st and the last photo.
Thank you for always sharing interesting things. Have a great Sunday. :)
Yes, it was a disaster. We had to ask foreign countries for help. Our firefighters coudn't control the fire with the means they had at theirdisposal.
DeleteEven in our digital era - museums and libraries are still great places, worth a visit.
Oh thank you so much for this additional information. You cute lady :)
DeleteSo sorry to hear what happened, how awful! I love vintage, and the items you are sharing are really beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing, Duta, and I hope you have a great week. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteVery valuable, hard to find items! Nisco was lucky to have the place recovered - for himself and for all the lovers and admirers of mechanical music.
DeleteYou have a lot of fun visiting these out of the way sights. Good for you. They are always fun to read about.
ReplyDeleteI would say fun combined with sadness. The area reminds one of the biggest fire ever; the paintings of Bothaina depict sad, and tragic scenes; even the musical boxes have something sad about them - remind us of a past world that is no longer with us.
DeleteOh, Duta, I can tell by these photos and your description that you had a good time and laughed! Wow, some of that stuff in the museum is very old! When you mentioned concertina, I thought of my dad and how he played polka's and my aunts would dance. Wonderful memories. I'm glad you wrote about such a great time. I enjoyed the pics. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteNisco played on the concertina to demonstrate how it works. Incredible sounds! and it looks lovely. I'm glad it brought back mmories of your Dad and aunts to you.
DeleteI love your visits, travels. To have a talk from an older gentleman over 80 would make it so interesting!
ReplyDeleteThey say he used to be in the film making industry, some say he was a photographer.What the visitors at the museum see and hear is a person with high charisma and great humor.
DeleteThis looks so fun! I love gift shops, as I love souvenirs of trips!
ReplyDeleteHaven't bought anything. There comes a time when one feels weary of buying souvenirs ( not of contemplating them).
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and Nisco seems like such a genuine and charismatic character! This place IS truly a gem; it's so rare to encounter such interesting and intriguing people today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Duta!
Poppy:)
Indeed, both the place and its owner (and presenter) are a real "gem". Both are 'well aged', and yet very relevant to our times.
DeleteI'm glad I read through the comments because I wanted to ask if he had played them and it seems he did. I would have loved this presentation! You find the most intriguing places to visit!
ReplyDeleteI suppose he can operate and play on any of the devices that he has accumulated over the years. Anyway, he did some demonstrations in front of us showing great ability using his hands, mouth, and whatever needed.
DeleteWhat a neat little place. You post the most amazing finds. Have a great rest of the week Duta.
ReplyDeleteYes, this little place is great, but doesn't look too neat as there are too many devices tucked into a relatively small space.
DeleteGood morning Duta. Thank you for stopping by my Blog and commenting. It means SO much to me. I am sorry you, too, lost your brother at such a young age. My brother was my best friend ~ he was 67. He lived in Texas (far from me here in Virginia), but we talked on the phone every night. We knew each other SO well and were able to lift each other up and to make each other laugh. You are right. The pain is not as bad after 7 years, but his memory is as strong as ever and I miss him SO.
ReplyDelete((Hugs)) for you.
Audrey
You're welcome.
DeleteBlogging is, among other things,also a sort of therapy. It allows us to deal with nice, interesting things which make us forget a little the hardships of life.
So is your etsy shop.It's not only business, a place to sell things, but also a place which displays beauty and creativity, and makes people's life richer.
What an interesting museum tour, Duta. That's too bad about the fire and damaging part of the building. His music boxes are delightful, and I've always loved music boxes. It would be so interesting to see them all. And his dog sounds like he has a bit of a personality himself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming post, Duta. Also, thank you for the Mother's Day comment. I appreciate that so much.
~Sheri
Thanks for your kind words. The atmosphere of the place, the old musical devices, the presenter and even his dog - all have 'personality'.
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