Canaan Railroad Days is proud to be celebrating its 58th year in bringing an amazing festival to the Northwest Corner of Canaan, CT. Enjoy fireworks, train history, carnival, live music and much more. At this event, the New England Accordion Museum will feature accordionist Papa Joe De Clemente on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 1:PM to 4:PM.

Do you know Papa Joe De Clemente? He is one of the most upbeat, positive, musical, and friendly people I have ever met. He exudes positivity and caring toward everyone who meets him. For many years “Papa Joe” De Clemente has volunteered once a week early in the morning to assist the music teacher, Linda Holcomb, at an elementary school music program at Public-school 203Q, in Bayside, Queens which may be one of the only elementary schools in the five boroughs of New York City that has a student accordion band. The school started their accordion band fifteen years ago. They meet once a week, at the beginning of the school day to practice various songs that they will perform throughout the year. Papa Joe volunteers his time to join the students for rehearsals and he inspires them to be better accordionists. Among the many things he does for them, he also fixes their accordions!

Joe shares his love for the accordion, “To me, music has been a language that crosses all barriers, speaking to all people and bringing joy to those who listen. The box has been my pal for over 60 years and I am glad the Lord gave me this special gift” Joe has been married to his wife, Janet, for almost 53 years and is the father of 4 kids and has 11 grandchildren. Over the years, he has shared his love of the accordion with many people all over the world who developed a love and appreciation of the instrument because of his enthusiasm.

“Papa Joe” De Clemente, who lives in Queens, New York, was brought up in an Italian family environment and started playing the accordion at the young age of nine years old in 1956.  He was interested in playing because he used to visit his relatives, the Iorio’s, who manufactured accordions in NYC, as far back as 1907. Joe has performed in numerous venues and loves to entertain people.  He is also a member of the Long Island Accordion Alliance. He performs all over the tri-state area. For information on Papa Joe: joedeclemente@yahoo.com

Every Tuesday night Papa Joe plays at the Village Lanterne in Lindenhurst, New York (German Restaurant) and every Wednesday at Umberto’s in Wantagh, New York. You will enjoy his lively, entertaining show!

Over 400 spectacularly-beautiful accordions have been moved into the recently-restored Canaan Union Railroad station in North Canaan, Connecticut by long-time collector Angelo Paul Ramunni. As creator and owner of the New England Accordion Connection & Museum Company (NEACMC), Ramunni recently relocated the exceptionally-detailed and highly-ornate hand-crafted accordions from throughout the world dating back to the year 1829 into the historic railroad station.

“This is a happy, hands-on experience place the public is embracing joyfully,” stated Ramunni. “We opened this living historical museum space in early July 2021 and people’s jaws drop when they see hundreds of accordions in a room with 12′ high wood-beamed ceilings and windows. It is the only room in the original 8,500 square foot station dating back to 1872. The rest of the building was destroyed in a 2001 fire and was re-built to modern-day specs.”

Between 1984 and 2002, Ramunni owned the historic station to house his CPA business. In 2001 he sold it to the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association after it was heavily damaged by an arson’s fire. Visitors to his museum today are enthusiastically engaged when he tells them stories about what happened in the building over the last 147 years at the ‘crossroads where thousands of people passed every week.”

In 2011, Ramunni created his accordion museum in a garage on his home’s property in North Canaan. This July, he relocated to display the 400+ accordions plus he repairs, buys and sells these remarkable ‘bling-enhanced’ vintage accordions, and he offers to sell over 10,000 pieces of sheet music and books, provide lessons, and play an accordion at special events.

“Vienna, Austria in 1829 was where the first accordion was patented,” revealed Ramunni. “In America, the accordion was popular while the West was being settled and was integral for emigrating families from across the globe. Being portable and musically-rich, it was played throughout the Civil War, World War I and II.”

“This museum’s 40 x 24 foot historical room,” continued Ramunni, “is helping people to reconnect to themselves and unite with others. It is offering a fun, energizing, and beautiful atmosphere. People of all ages walk through taking deep, appreciative long breaths of joy. They especially enjoy my old polka-playing Wurlitzer jukebox!”

The New England Accordion Connection & Museum Company is located in the historic Canaan Union Railroad station in North Canaan next to the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association Museum. The museum is open weekends and by appointment weekdays by calling 860-833-1374 or by emailing to ramunni@comcast.net.

New England Accordion Museum
75 Main Street, North Canaan, CT
Email: ramunni@comcast.net