Mechanical Melodies: The Stories and Tunes of a Boston Street Organ

From 1900 to 1974, Italian immigrant Marino Persechini traveled the streets of Boston with his barrel piano. He earned the moniker of the Hurdy-Gurdy man while playing songs like “My Wild Irish Rose,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Torne a Surriento,” and “La Paloma.” That same 126 year old instrument will be played live and in person this November at the West End Museum. 

Join Tony Gangi, author of Carny Sideshows: Weird Wonders of the Midway and owner of Great American Street Organ, for an interactive presentation on the history of organ grinders and their instruments. Learn about the instrument's origins in the medieval period and its use as a means of employment by American immigrants in the early twentieth century. 

Relax and enjoy the histories and songs of Boston’s own street performers of yesteryear. 

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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Host or Publisher The West End Museum