I have been wanting to return to Superior, Wisconsin to see this incredible museum and its equally incredible founder and curator, Dr. Helmi Harrington, since my first visit in 2005. My wish finally came true in late July! My husband Bill, our little dog Metro and I took our camper to beautiful Duluth, Minnesota (on Lake Superior, just minutes from the museum in Superior, WI). The next day, bright and early, we headed for A World of Accordions Museum, housed in a large and gorgeous old church right over the bridge from Duluth into Superior.

Helmi opened the museum just for us that day and it was truly wonderful having her all to ourselves!! Dr. Helmi Harrington is a warm and delightful “walking encyclopedia of all-things accordion”. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she loves sharing her knowledge and her collection — the largest and most complete in the world — with those of us who share her passion. My husband Bill and I definitely “fit that bill”!

Not only is the museum packed with a visual wonderland of 1300-plus accordions of all ages, sizes and systems, it also houses an accordion and concertina repair school, a teaching academy, libraries, the American Accordionists’ Association Collection, and a breathtakingly beautiful concert hall named for Helmi’s mother, the celebrated accordionist and teacher Hanni Strahl. As one walks through the halls and the floors of the museum, the visual delights fill the senses!! In between, above and below all of the well-documented instruments are figurines, paintings and other artifacts depicting the accordion. In Helmi’s words, “Decorative art and artifacts shown throughout the building emphasize the pervasive presence of the instruments’ image in society.” To truly appreciate everything in the museum, one would need weeks of daily visits!

Helmi and I have worked side-by-side in festivals and have been friends for years. I wanted very much for Bill to meet her and to experience the museum. Bill has just retired as principal conductor of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra in Golden, Colorado. He began his musical career as an accordionist, majored in piano and percussion at Oberlin Conservatory, and received his doctorate in conducting. His passion is still the accordion, so he was very excited stepping into the museum. Bill’s reaction was “Wow!!!!!” He was overwhelmed and enjoyed every moment in the archival sections and the concert hall. He happily thanked Helmi and thought we had seen everything. I said, “Wait — we haven’t seen the ACCORDIONS yet!” Bill was shocked! There are MORE accordions? Helmi led us to the lower level of the building. We opened the doors to a Disneyland of accordion delights and historical wonders! I cannot even begin to describe the feeling of being in this magical environment! We both enjoyed every moment we spent there and still speak about it daily!

I strongly encourage everyone to schedule a trip to Superior for a tour of A World of Accordions Museum. You will love the experience! Please visit the museum’s website to learn more about Helmi, her repair school, her collections, and for concert and event schedules: www.worldofaccordions.org.