Hi,  I first thought of the Mechanical Music Center, owned by Bill
Edgerton, but Bill never charged an admission.  Well, I suppose it
depends on your definition.  Although there was no fee to _enter_ the
Mechanical Music Center, it often cost you several hundred or thousand
dollars to get out!

I think your friend remembers Art Sanders' Musical Museum, which was
in Deansboro, New York, up near Utica.  Art had a nice variety of music
machines and a band organ playing in the parking lot.  He must have had
tolerant neighbors.

I know of several people who bought some of Art's machines at the final
auction over a decade ago.  One friend got a box of barrel organ parts
(no case).  He and another friend built a case for it and my friend
pinned a couple tunes on the blank barrel.

Another friend bought the Mills Violano, which was in terrible shape.
He restored it completely -- a gargantuan job.  He is on MMD and it
would be interesting if he chooses to describe the rather amazing
situation when he bid on it.

Regards,
Craig Smith