When you arrive, you pay your admission fee ($15 per person for adults) and are handed a set of headphones with a transmitter.  Unlike some museums, the music follows you.  No need to turn the receiver on or off if you arrive at a display and your timing is off.

Gorgeous inlaid floor with the continents - entrance to a Mim gallery

The customer service people suggest that you start with the first floor display, which has an array of guitars, a massive chime –(see last week’s blog for an image of the giant boat-like gong).

Next, head upstairs where the exhibit halls are arranged by continent.  The United States and Canada displays are housed in one large area and contain exhibits, screens with music that repeat with the performances heard through your headphones, and displays that show everything from a piano being skillfully constructed by Steinway craftspeople to Bluegrass music being energetically performed.

Amazing craftsmanship goes into constructing every piano (Steinway)

It is a dizzying and convincing parade of musical instruments that does convey the sense that music is truly the one unifying concept of the human race.

Many countries have their own versions of bagpipes

Take bagpipes.  You might think that they’d be in a display in the Scottish area.  They are, but it appears that many different cultures and countries have their own versions of bagpipes, too.

Every country has an exhibit of musical instruments, augmented with a performance that you can see on screen and hear with your headphones.   The color and array is exhausting and exhilarating to behold.  Junkanoo in the Bahamas and all manner of colorful and well-crafted instruments catch your attention.

Junkanoo in the Bahamas is a colorful pageant with steel drums

Downstairs – The modern masters

In addition to live performances, MIM has a hall with some pop, rock, jazz and other favorites on loan.  See the piano that John Lennon composed “Imagine” on, along with a video of him singing  “Imagine” and breaking out of the melodic line to editorially intone – in a deeper voice – “and I’m not the only one” (referring to  the desire for peace).  It gave me shivers!

John Lennon's piano on which he composed "Imagine" and a video of him playing

Eric Clapton performs several songs on video and you can see his instruments while you listen.  Carlos Santana, the Jonas Brothers, the Black-Eyed Peas, Paul Simon, George Benson and many others are all represented.  George Benson’s Platinum record for “Breezin’” is on display, along with Eric Clapton’s Fender – his “Brownie.”

Carlos Santana highlighted

Although we were tired after about three hours, we could have stayed twice as long.  There was so much to see and hear!

Transport yourself to MIM and you’ll spend an exciting and inspiring time.  All ages can enjoy the museum and there’s even a room to try the instruments.  Adults and children were banging on the drums and trying out the chimes.

Joey Wan enjoyed trying out the Gamelan, a xylophone

Note: There are video screens in most galleries that, using the headphones every visitor is loaned, start playing in the headphone when a visitor is near that particular exhibit.

MIM – the Musical Instrument Museum has a gift shop, a café (which prides itself on using “fresh local ingredients”), a coffee shop, and spaces for performances.  A great place to visit!

Strawberry

Strawberry, charmingly named, has a much smaller population (in 2007 – only 1,000-plus!) and has a few amenities.  According to http://www.city-data.com/city/Strawberry-Arizona.html, Strawberry residents are older, richer and have more expensive homes than the median Arizona population.

One tourist magnet with some charm is the Strawberry School, the “oldest standing school in Arizona.”  According to a representative of the Pine/Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society, the school was almost razed when a developer bought a large tract in the area.  A local informed the crew that was about to raze the school as they were removing the roof, that the building was the old school house.  The developer decided to spare the school and the roof was rebuilt.

Strawberry School - the "Oldest Standing School in Arizona "

The original building’s walls were constructed in 1885 with logs that surround a one-room area dominated with a wood-burning stove.  The historical society rep commented that the old wooden desks were not the original furnishings.  Instead, tables were used.

Closed in 1916, the school is a reminder of what schools were like a century ago.  However, the furnishings were considered more opulent than was normal with wainscoting, wallpaper, slate on the wall as a blackboard, a world globe, an organ, a dictionary and a clock.  The school was also a meeting location and social center.

Interior of the one-room Strawberry School

For many in the area, the school was part of their heritage, so residents were integral in having it declared a Historical Monument in 1981.

There is no charge to view the school, but a donation is requested.

Pine

Another small town with a lot of activity the weekend we visited is Pine.  Again, as in Strawberry, the median age and income levels are higher than the median for Arizona.  The population tallies just under 2,000. Can we say, “retirement community”?

An arts and crafts fair was sprawled out along the road as well as in a community hall.  The variety seemed to be strongly focused on food.  However, we enjoyed the crafts and most especially our chat with Bob Gleason, a basket weaver, who was weaving as we spoke.

Bob Gleason weaves baskets right in front of your eyes.

Bob is from Phoenix, but enjoys demonstrating his craft, which he finds relaxing and has recently begun more elaborate baskets.  The colors and craftsmanship are top notch.  The materials are rattan and can be extremely light, but sturdy.  Bob’s business, with the URL of bobsbasketcase.intuitwebsites.com, (602-317-0644), shows he has a sense of humor.  He has to with some of the dumb questions that people ask – “Who makes the baskets? –He does – “I’m making one now!” (I’m sure he’d like to tell people to pay attention.)

Another crafter, Ron Lepore with Melted Bottles (928-443-8865), uses recycled bottles to make very attractive serving pieces with knives attached.  Great for serving cheese, crackers, fruit and other edibles, the pieces show the whimsy of the bottles he recovers from peoples’ discards.

Ron Lepore exhibited his recycled "Melted Bottles" - great for serving and gifts

Other items sold included emu meat, quilts, and other attractive art.

When we finished, we stopped at the Gingerbread House for some ice cream.  At the old-fashioned style soda fountain, the flavors were great (I had black cherry cordial and my husband had cookies and cream).

Gingerbread House - ice cream treats and collectibles

After we ate every bite of the ice cream and waffle cone, we headed to Payson.

Next week… We’ll give you a short tour of Payson, home of rodeos and other pastimes.

Coming soon!   We will be launching a new site for all of  you Couch Potatoes out there – who want to get up and get going!  More soon…

We hopped on at the stop just down the block from the U of A main gate.  The old trolley, originally from Belgium, had some signs that were definitely not in English.  There were little counters between the seats, harkening back to a more gracious life in Europe where the trolley originated.

Trolley Sign - exit in 2 languages

Old Pueblo Trolley - this car built in Belgium

Since all but one seat was occupied, my gallant husband indicated that I should take the seat.  I was grateful.

The sign stated that the trolley had a 50-person capacity, which included SRO.

As we climbed on, one of the two conductors asked for our twenty-five cent fares (Sundays is only 25 cents per person!).  Since it was right before St. Paddy’s Day, they were both dressed in green-sparkly hats and other green accoutrements.

Everyone seemed in a festive spirit as we headed down the street.  The homes we whisked by were nearly a century old, bungalow-type houses that, for the most part, have been kept nicely through the years.

20th century bungalow along University Boulevard

As we headed around the trolley track’s curve, the street changed from residential to a more retail-commercial neighborhood.  The festive colors of many of the shops were certainly not boring!  The names of the shops were also inventive with some very eye-catching signs.  Stores are unique, one-of-a-kind places where you can just imagine finding some vintage 60s psychedelic clothes. Fourth Avenue shops definitely do not fit the modern image of commercial stores, but they have a funky charm of their own.

Shops along Fourth Avenue

Upbeat, funky Goodwill on Fourth Avenue

Then, a new crew of conductors came aboard as we stopped.  To our surprise, we found out we were at the end of the line!  The online map showing the trolley route has not been changed to reflect that they no longer go all the way under the underpass to Congress and back.  Stopping after only about six blocks was a disappointment.  The money we paid for the “round trip” was only $1, so we did not find the investment too extensive.

We shifted to the other side of the trolley. With enough seats for us both to be seated, we now saw the other side of the street going back to the trolley’s route near the University.  Many campus hangouts dot the south side of University Boulevard, but there was almost an eerie emptiness, since we were visiting during spring break.

Frog & Firkin, campus hangout

The Old Pueblo Trolley is a short, but fun excursion while you’re in Tucson.  Although there is a slightly higher fee on Friday night and Saturday, when they also operate, it is a non-profit organization, so you can’t be grudge the fee for the experience.

The trolley volunteers clearly love their efforts and the experience is just out of the ordinary, so it is an attraction worth considering.

http://www.oldpueblotrolley.org

Visit later this week for a view of some other Tucson scenes.

Main Gate of University of Arizona

However, the University of Arizona is a major attraction in itself.

Most recent statistics at UA show enrollment of 37,000-plus, 29,000 of which are undergrads.  With a large urban campus, including residential housing, UA offers attractions for visitors and students alike.  There is a science museum, an art museum, a photography exhibit and a large bookstore that non-students can also use.  The campus is walkable, so parking a vehicle and strolling around can give access to most interesting sights.  In the heat of the summer, Tucson can be steamy. But in the spring, there is still snow on the mountains that are at a higher elevation.

Old Main at U of A

UA library with snow-capped mountain in background and book fair tents

On weekends, the Old Pueblo Trolley can take you on an inexpensive sight seeing tour of historic areas, downtown, shopping and land you at the entrance to UA.  We decided to explore that option for a new view of Tucson.  However, we found that the route of the trolley was not the full route shown on their Web site.  For the price, we couldn’t really complain (25 cents on Sunday).

In March, there is a very large book fair, so reading aficionados can look at books, meet authors and stroll UA campus.

U of A Stadium - with no "Wildcats" in isght

With both the book fair and the trolley, we figured that’s most of a day to explore – things to see and do in Tucson.  If you add in the museums and other UA attractions, you could easily spend 2-3 days in Tucson.  If you visit one of the many resorts, add in a few more days – even great golfing.  In other words, Tucson is a great destination.  Only 90 miles from Phoenix, Tucson also has its own airport, southwest of the city.

So, this week join us for some Tucson sights and, of course, you have to eat! (We’ll highlight at least one restaurant.)

Today, we share some of what we’ve learned about Prescott, a really interesting city.

Infamous and picturesque

In downtown Prescott, commerce is centered around the courthouse, as well as newer developments along the main highway, Route 69 (which comes west from Interstate 17). 

Yavapai County Courthouse - Prescott

On Montezuma Street in downtown, which runs on the west side of the block with the courthouse, you will see the famous and infamous Whiskey Row.   A century ago, it was the hotbed for activity and housed as many as 50 saloons and bars on the one block!

Whiskey Row

In the early 1900s, the street burned, but was quickly rebuilt.  The street and the Hotel St. Michael at the corner hosted famous people like the old movie star Tom Mix, and politicians like Barry Goldwater and Teddy Roosevelt during the 20th century.

Nowadays, there are art and antique shops, pubs, restaurants, a hotel and other shops to explore.  You could take hours just to travel to all of the shops and establishments in the one block!

Just a couple of blocks west of Whiskey Row, another part of Prescott’s history comes alive …

Important to Arizona

Prescott figured in Arizona’s history and, at one time, was even the capital of territorial Arizona.  If you visit the Sharlot Hall Museum (named after a real person named  - you guessed it – Sharlot Hall), you will see a home that was once the Arizona territorial governor’s as well as some historical exhibits begun by Ms Hall.

(Former) Governor's Mansion at Sharlot Hall Museum

The grounds of the museum contain a number of buildings, plantings, research libraries and, often, some fairs and festivals that highlight native and local crafts as well as music.

Gift Shop at Sharlot Hall Museum

Even children will find the exhibits interesting as they show how people lived years ago.

For a city of only about 43,000 population, there is a lot going on in Prescott most of the year.  They feature events around the courthouse, like fantastic art fairs and many gatherings, like their lighting ceremony for the holidays.

Also of interest, Prescott is famous for being  the location for the world’s oldest rodeo!  Quite a history for a town that now serves as the most charming place to visit and is rampant with quaint shops, places to eat and hotels.

Come back tomorrow and we’ll show you some of the special holiday decorations in Prescott.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. Located in Washington, DC on the National Mall, it also has a companion facility at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles Airport at Chantilly, VA.

The space shuttle Enterprise is housed at the Udvar-Hazy Center, as is one of Amelia Earhart’s planes.

The NASM holds in trust some 50,000 objects, including air craft, space craft, engines, rockets, uniforms, space suits, balloons and artwork. The Wright Brothers 1903 Flyer is on display with related artifacts. A whole section is dedicated to the Wright Brothers with original and replica flying machines.

Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis

Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis from his 1927 flight is suspended from the ceiling of the National Mall building, along with the Bell X-1 (Glamorous Glennis) flown by Chuck Yeager when he broke the sound barrier. Planes from both World Wars, including uniforms and equipment, depict the United States at war.

Chuck Yeager's sound barrier-breaking Bell X-1 "Glamorous Glennis"

The space race and moon exploration are shown in scenes with the space suits worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, plus a Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), duplicate of the one still sitting on the moon. Other milestones of space flight on display include the Mercury Friendship 7 and the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia. As you enter the front door of the museum, you encounter a touchable moon rock and millions of fingers have stroked it in wonder and awe.NASM also has a large archive of historic manuscripts, photographs, films and documents. To tour the entire facility takes the better part of a day and a lot of walking. Divided up into historic groups, areas and eras, the Museum has full size aircraft and space craft, plus miniature and cutaway models. The photographs and documents on the walls and panels are well worth stopping to view and read.

The history of aviation in the United States is contained within these walls and the hangars at Dulles. For anyone interested in history and aviation, both sites are essential to view and tour.

www.nasm.si.edu

Thomas Jefferson, never at loss to come up with a new idea, decided he was going to build a house on the hill as the centerpiece to his 5,000-acre plantation.
And talk about privacy! You can’t see it from the road, even if you know where to look.

Preparation of the site began in 1768 with construction beginning the following year. With approximately 11,000 sq. ft. of living space, this is not your basic suburban master-planned community house. Monticello was designed by Jefferson after a visit to Europe. The Roman neoclassic design contains forty-three rooms following a remodeling expansion completed in 1809.

Much of the construction material came from the land around the house. The window glass came from Europe and about one-third of the glass now in the house is original.

Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's home

Alcove Bed

Of interest is Jefferson’s bed, which he designed after seeing alcove beds during his time in France. Taking the idea of beds built into walls upon his return from Europe, Jefferson redesigned Monticello, adding an alcove bed to his bedroom, but leaving both sides open. This connected his bedroom with his study.  So, Jefferson was never totally hidden away in his bedroom, but was able to access both rooms easily.  Obviously, Jefferson was not a man to rest easily.

Touring

Tours of the house run constantly throughout the day with timed tickets, so it is best to visit other areas of Monticello following your background tour.

Those background tour areas include the Gardens, dependencies, Mulberry Row and Jefferson’s gravesite.

Tickets are available throughout the day on a first come-first served basis. Tours of the house begin every 10 minutes.

ADMISSION

House Tour/Grounds: Nov. – Feb. $15.00 / March – October $20.00
Age 6-11: $8.00

Hours Vary – See Website for calendar of hours.

http://www.monticello.org

Tomorrow – Come back for a retrospect on our blog and some things to be thankful for.

Rumor has it that the owner of the building “hired” armed guards to keep the arsonists away. Thus, Tredegar is one of only a few buildings that survived the burning of Richmond.In 2006,The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar opened to the public. What makes the center especially interesting is that it doesn’t take sides as it interprets the events of 1861-1865 from the view of the Confederates, Union and African Americans.

This highly acclaimed center contains interactive theaters, plasma-screen maps, and artifacts about the Civil War, especially within the Richmond area.

Also on site is the Richmond National Battlefield Park Visitors Center from which you can begin your tour of the battlefields surrounding Richmond.

There is a parking fee on the premises, but is it not hard to find free parking near the center.

American Civil War Center / Richmond National Battlefield Park Visitors Center
470 Tredegar Street
Daily
9AM – 5PM
(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day)

www.tredegar.org

www.nps.gov/RICH

Driving Tour

Once you leave Tredegar there are several options. For those who have seen all they care to, go have a drink, or lunch in the Bottom (Shockoe Bottom). For those who want to get a closer look at some, or all, of the battlefields and the medical museum, hop in your car.

Remember the entire tour is 80 miles! So, make sure you have a map, and even a GPS if your map skills aren’t up to the test. And also remember … just because they (National Park Service) say this can all be done in a day, it ain’t necessarily so.
With the addition of the Tredegar exhibits folded into the driving tour, which includes stopping at two additional visitors’ centers, it’s truly a matter of how much time you have to spend, or WANT to spend.

So, if you don’t want to wisk around the outskirts of Richmond while your passengers point at signs as you drive by 80 miles an hour to the next destination (as my uncle would have done), you might want to break this up into two days.

Hint: If you have already printed out the NPS map from their website you can actually start early as the battlefields are open from dawn to dusk.

TOUR INFO

Two smaller visitor centers, also with exhibits, are open at Chimborazo Medical Museum (in the city) and Cold Harbor Battlefield. There are also seasonal visitors’ centers at Fort Harrison Battlefield and the Glendale Cemetery Lodge.

Interpretive signs and audio stations are located at Chickahominy Bluff, Malvern Hill, Fort Harrison, and Drewry’s Bluff.

My comment earlier about pointing at passing signs while driving at Indianapolis Raceway speeds was aimed at slowing you down, and actually getting you out of the car.

Although not a Civil War authority, I am educated in Revolutionary War history and know the humbling experience of walking on the ground where previous generations have fought for what they believed in. And, I have walked on almost every battleground mentioned in this article as well.

Do yourself a favor, slow down and soak up a little history.

Visitor Centers
Chimborazo and Cold Harbor
Daily 9am to 5 pm.

Glendale and Fort Harrison
Daily June through August, 9am to 5pm.

www.nps.gov/archive/rich/

Although Robert E. Lee was not born in Richmond (actually at his family home of Stratford Hall near Lerty, Virginia), nor is he even buried there (that would be in a chapel at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia), his legacy lives on if not more than in a large statue on Monument Avenue.Ironically, Lee was not a proponent of the Virginia’s succession from the Union. The West Point Military Academy graduate reluctantly turned down President Lincoln’s offer to lead the northern troops due to his loyalty to his home state.

Also ironically, not much of anything is actually embossed with the name of Robert E. Lee in the city. But that doesn’t mean the Civil War and the Confederacy for which he led troops for Jefferson Davis is not alive and well in and around Richmond.

The National Park Service operates the Richmond National Battlefield Park. The name is actually a misnomer, as there are actually 11 battlefields, and 2 major museums, which make up the park system. (the Museum of the Confederacy in downtown Richmond is not part of the RNBP)

The thing to recognize from the start is that none of these sites are within walking distance of each other. PERIOD! If you wish to see more than one site, a car is necessary, along with a good map or GPS. A full day will be needed for the 80-mile driving tour.

www.nps.gov/RICH

The original visitor’s center within the city was located at Chimborazo Medical Center, up on the hill in the southeast section of the city. The main visitor’s center is now located at Tredegar Iron Works near the center of the city next to the James River.

Lee may not totally be the center of attention in Richmond, but he was still a true southern gentleman. So, take my advice, don’t ridicule him in front of the true locals, and whatever you do …

Whatever you do, DON’T CALL HIM “BOB”!

Next Week: Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works

As a former resident of the city for several years, it’s always interesting to come back and re-visit just why you lived somewhere, and maybe even why you left.  In the case of Richmond, I relocated there for a job and left for the same reason. 

Richmond is a mix of a modern and also a “stuck in the past” city.  The latter would be their Civil War heritage.

But, that shouldn’t stop anyone from visiting as there are many things to see and do and you don’t have to see a single battlefield, Civil War or Revolutionary War, if you don’t want to, and still have a great time.

Are you into literature?  Edgar Allen Poe lived in Richmond for over 13 years.  The Poe Museum is located on Broad Street (Poe didn’t actually live in the house, but nearby).  Furniture from his home, as well as manuscripts, first editions and personal belongings, are on display.

www.poemuseum.org

Architecture?  How about a 15^th century English estate (Agecroft Hall) that was bought at auction, crated and shipped from Lancashire, England to Richmond, and reassembled on the banks of the James River.

www.agecrofthall.com/

Famous speeches?  Revolutionary leader Patrick Henry wasn’t shy about speaking.  He gave his famous “stick it to King George” speech,  “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death” at St. John’s Church in Richmond. 

www.historicstjohnschurch.org/hist_main.htm

Monuments?  How about … Monument Avenue?  Northwest of downtown Richmond you’ll find Robert E. Lee on a horse … J.E.B. Stuart, on a horse … Stonewall Jackson, on a horse … Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederate States of America), not on a horse.

Anyone notice a theme … and we’re not talking about the horses.

And then, there is Matthew Fontaine Maury.  Who?  Seriously, WHO? 

And finally, a slightly controversial choice for an avenue with statues of Confederate soldiers — we have

Arthur Ashe, professional tennis player, born and raised in Richmond. 

Even if you don’t like statues, the architecture along the avenue ranges from English Tudor, Georgian, Italian, and Art Deco on either side of center islands of huge trees and green grass.  It’s the kind of street they don’t build anymore.

Historic Theatres with a Pipe Organ?  The Byrd Theatre in Carytown, a retail shopping area northwest of downtown was opened in 1928.  Included in its 1,300 seat configuration is a balcony and a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ that opens the show on Saturday evenings by rising from the basement to the stage in front of the screen.

You can’t buy tickets ahead of time, they don’t show previews, and the movies aren’t first run … but at $1.99, I’m not going to complain!

http://byrdtheatre.com

http://www.visitrichmondva.com/

NEXT TIME: We’ll take a trip back in time and look at the Civil War history of Richmond and what remains today.