Barrel Organ

Longman and Broderip (London, 1767-1798)
Barrel organ, c. 1790-98
Mahogany, pine, oak, unidentified light wood stringing, glass, engraving, mechanism
Gift of funds from Lila Acheson Wallace and other donors, F61.12

Before inventions such as this barrel organ, music could only be heard within earshot of a live performance. States Dyckman, for whom Boscobel was first built, was known to have purchased a barrel organ, a great expense as well as rarity for the Hudson Valley.

Boscobel’s version retains three of its original barrels, each of which play ten songs.