“Apollonia” dance organ (orchestrion)[1]
Antwerp, Belgium, 1926/1950
Teofiel Mortier, S.A., and Gebroeders Decap, maker
T2009.73.3

Measuring over twenty-five feet long and weighing over two tons, this dance organ was
originally manufactured in 1926 as organo no.1002 by the preeminent Antwerp firm of
Theofiel ortier, S.A.

It was remanufactured into its present
configuration by another famous Antwerp
company, Gebroeders Decap, in 1950.
The largest organs made by the Decap
brothers were often given unique names;
“Apollonia” is the female form of “Apollo,”
the Greek god of the sun and music.

During its working life, this organ was
owned by the firm Gebroeders M. & G.
Teugels, which provided organs for
the popular circuit of dance halls and

traveling shows. It remained in Teugels's
collection until the mid-1980s, when it
was imported into the United States by
an American Collector.





Technicians of J. Verbeeck of Antwerp, Belgium, regulating and tuning the organ
after its arrival at MIM, December 2009.

We read about the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) on Trip Advisor - it was the top rated attraction in Phoenix - and now we can see why! The museum is dedicated to musical instruments from around the world - the collection is fascinating, the exhibits are great and the hands-on displays were fun. We spent almost 5 hours here and still felt rushed - this place is definitely worth a detour.

I know nothing about musical instruments so if you happen to know what a particular instrument is, please feel free to comment on it. I tried to include as many labels as possible.

The museum is in Phoenix, AZ - we visited it in March 2014.