Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)

 By Bruce Shawkey

Probably won't ever get to this place (it's in Phoenix, Ariz.) , but on the off chance I do, here's some information about this place. First of all, their website is https://mim.org/

Museum Hours

Open Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving | Closed

Christmas Day | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050 Phone: 480.478.6000

Parking: Parking is free. The parking lot entrance is located on Mayo Boulevard, just south of Loop 101.

Mobility & Physical Access: Complimentary wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers are available.

Galleries:

Steinway

MIM's Steinway exhibit tells the story of master cabinetmaker Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, who in 1836 turned to the art of piano making, using his home kitchen as a workshop. It also features the first Steinway grand piano, known as the "Kitchen Piano."

Electronic Music 

MIM's Electronic Music exhibit is filled with exciting instruments, including a custom-built EML ElectroComp 101 analog synthesizer and one of the first fully digital synthesizers designed and created by Rick Coupland in Phoenix in the early 1970s. 

Mechanical Marvels and Self-Playing Instruments

MIM’s Mechanical Music Gallery features a selection of mechanical musical instruments, including barrel organs, mechanical zithers, cylinder music boxes, disc players, automatons, and more. These mechanical marvels play the same notes with the exact timing, nuance, and charm that their audiences enjoyed generations ago.

There's much more, but I want to mention that food and beverages are available at Cafe Allegro. And there's also Beats Coffee Bar, Open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m., featuring a full menu of specialty roasted coffee, espresso, and tea drinks, along with pastries and other breakfast offerings, grab-and-go lunch options, wine, beer, and seasonal treats made by our pastry chef.