Heart of America Chapter of Amica

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The purpose of this organization is to promote & enjoy mechanical music.  We have approximately 60 members from several states with Kansas City near the center.  We collect player pianos, monkey organs, band organs and every kind of device that plays music mechanically.  We normally meet in members houses about 4 times per year and also have one or two band organ rallies per year at various locations.   

Everyone is welcome to join and the cost is only $5.00 per year plus you have to join the international AMICA.  The cost of the international is $35.00 per year and it includes a bi-monthly journal that is well worth the money.  All the members are welcome to attend the international meeting once per year.  Meetings are held in various locations in the U.S. and we have had meetings in Australia and England.  There are more overseas conventions coming.  It gives you a chance to meet people from all over the world.

Meeting at Thomas Museum in Manhattan, KS

Heart of America chapter members met June 4, 2005 at the Thomas Museum in Manhattan, Kansas. Blaine Thomas has just completed an extensive expansion of the museum and was eager to share it with our members

Ed Schmidt, one of our members, had been working for weeks rebuilding the organs. He had just completed a Bursens and the Mortier. This is an excellent example of Art Deco in the 30’s. Blaine is now having another Bursens rebuilt that came out of the Miles Musical Museum in Eureka Springs, AR.

After touring the museum Saturday, Blaine and his lovely wife, Armeda took us to dinner at his favorite restaurant.

Sunday morning, chapter president Tom McAuley called our meeting to order. After the meeting, the members headed home, very impressed with the improvements to the Thomas Museum.

Organ Grinder Statue at the Country Club Plaza   Charles Tyler and Friend:  Charles on left!!
in Kansas City.

Ron Bopp receiving the Leo Orstein award for his contribution in literature to all music organizations and for his book The American Carousel Organ.

Club Project:  Rebuild piano for Tom & Katie Hellstein.  Click Here