Made in 1985 by the Georg Oellerer company in Germany, this is the only example of its brand and specific type at AWAM. In addition to its beauty, its claim to special notice lies in two points:

1) it is one of the last piano accordions made by this manufacturer that subsequently focused on producing a type of diatonic called Steirische;

2) it is tuned to sound like a button diatonic accordion of regional Oberkrainer preferences that are most noted for Slavko Avsenik’s and Upper Carniolan folk music.

The beautifully pristine instrument, called a “folk accordion,” incorporates hand-made reeds, a tone chamber, and condenser microphones in the bass section. It was custom-made in 1985 by the Oellerer group for Pat “Patsy” Woods of Arlington, Texas. Pat performed in authentic attire for German venues, restaurants and festivals for over 50 years.

At her request, it was donated to our museum in December of 2019. With the plaque alongside the displayed accordion, we gratefully recognize the generosity of Patsy and acknowledge the value of this authentic instrument in sounding music we regularly offer in concert.

We gratefully recognize the involvement of Nick Ballarini whose Dallas, Texas, accordion business took on the responsibility of conveyance to us.