A musical heritage on display

The Museum of the High Plains Historical Society is featuring historical musical instruments during the month of October.

The display includes the organ from the Fox Theater. This organ was able to produce various sounds during the showing of motion pictures such as horses trotting and so on. There are also pianos, organs and a piano-organ. The piano-organ works like an organ and sounds like an organ, but all the components fit in the body size of a regular piano.

On the balcony is a Steinway piano that belonged to Mr. V. Franklin, one of McCook's first bankers. He lived in what is now the Parkview Manor Apartments on Norris Avenue.

Also on the balcony are a few of the instruments that once to belonged to the McCook Band. Also from the McCook Band are group photos and a trunk used to carry instruments.

There is also a dulcimer on display. The dulcimer is made of different parts of pianos that no longer work. It is a type of zither and sounds like a harpsichord. It is played by striking it with a mallet.

The High Plains Museum is located on 423 Norris Avenue and can be reach by phone by calling (308) 345-3661. It is open Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m., and Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

This dulcimer is made up of old piano parts and sounds like a harpsicord when struck with the mallet.