¨     Jazz-themed programs to be presented July 14­–16

(DOVER, Del.—July 10, 2017)—The Johnson Victrola Museum, located at 375 S. New St. in Dover, Del., will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a series of programs that will take place now through the end of 2017. The museum highlights the life and achievements of Dover’s native son, Eldridge Reeves Johnson, founder of The Victor Talking Machine Company. Through machines, trademarks, recordings, objects, paintings and advertisements, the museum showcases Johnson, his company and the development of the sound-recording industry. Constructed by the State of Delaware with an endowment provided by the Johnson family, it opened to the public on Dec. 14, 1967.

During July 2017, the museum, in partnership with the Dover Public Library  and DonDel Productions, will feature six programs on the theme of jazz in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first commercially released jazz recording—Victor Records’ “Livery Stable Blues—Fox Trot” by the Original Dixieland ‘Jass’ Band. The three-day tribute to early jazz music will begin Friday, July 14 at both the Johnson Victrola Museum and the Dover Public Library with presentations, recorded music and films. At 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, the museum will host the DonDel Ensemble performing some of jazz music’s most memorable songs while the library will screen popular jazz films. On Sunday jazz films continue at the library.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Displays at the Johnson Victrola Museum

In coming months the celebration will feature programs on the following themes: inventors and engineers who helped create the sound-recording industry; Nipper, the dog who adorns the Victor trademark, “His Masters Voice”; divas and prima donnas; music recorded by Victor in support of the Allied effort in World War I; and Victor’s influential recordings in the genres of classical, country and operatic music. A schedule of activities for the Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is included below. All programs are free and open to the public.

                                                            Johnson Victrola Museum 50th Anniversary Celebration events

Friday, July 14, 2017

“The Golden Age of Jazz.” Screenings of Ken Burns’ documentary “Jazz.” Episode one, “Gumbo,” at 10:30 a.m. Episode two, “The Gift,” at Noon. Episode three, “Our Language,” at 2 p.m. Episode four, “The True Welcome,” at 4 p.m. Episode five, “Pure Pleasure,” at 6 p.m. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. 302-736-7030.

Friday, July 14, 2017

“A Jazz Tale.” Lecture at 11 a.m.—“Duke Ellington and Rosedale Beach”—explores the history of the popular waterfront resort run by, and for, people of color which featured internationally renowned performers. Lecture at 1 p.m.—“Fats Waller”—explores the life and achievements of the noted jazz musician, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Lectures in the museum’s 2nd floor gallery (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required for the lectures by calling302-739-3262. Museum also open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. featuring tours exploring the history of jazz.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

“The Golden Age of Jazz.” Screening of the following jazz-themed films: “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” about the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival at 10:30 a.m. Episode six, “Swing, the Victory of Celebration,” from Ken Burns’ documentary “Jazz” at 10:30 a.m. “Let’s Get Lost” about trumpeter Chet Baker at Noon.  Episode seven, “Dedicated to Chaos,” from Burns’ “Jazz” at 12:30 p.m. Spike Lee’s “Mo’ Better Blues” at 2 p.m. Episode eight, “Risk,” from Burns’ “Jazz” at 2:30 p.m. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. 302-736-7030.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

“A Jazz Tale.” Lecture at 11 a.m.—“All That Jazz”— explores the origins of jazz music, its early pioneers and the contributions made to the art form by Victor Records, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. At 1 p.m. a musical ensemble from DonDel Enterprises will present “All That Jazz: From the Beginning” featuring songs and dances from the early days of jazz that have been adored for the last 100 years. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Lecture and performance in the museum’s 2nd floor gallery (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required for the special programs by calling302-739-3262. Museum also open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. featuring tours exploring the history of jazz.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

“The Golden Age of Jazz.” Screening of the following jazz-themed films: Episode nine, “The Adventure,” from Ken Burns’ documentary “Jazz” at 1 p.m. “What Happened, Miss Simone?” about singer Nina Simone at 1:30 p.m. Episode 10, “A Masterpiece at Midnight,” from Burns’ “Jazz” at 3 p.m. “Miles Ahead” about trumpeter Miles Davis at 3:15 p.m. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. 302-736-7030.

Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017

“An Inventor’s Tale.” Guided tours, entitled “From Tinfoil to the 78,” explore the origins of recorded music from the earliest tinfoil phonographs of Thomas Edison to the Victrola of Eldridge Reeves Johnson’s Victor Talking Machine Company while discovering the brilliant inventors and engineers who took recorded music from a novelty to a daily part of life. Accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Victor Talking Machine

Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017

“An Inventor’s Tale.” Guided tours, entitled “From Tinfoil to the 78,” explore the origins of recorded music from the earliest tinfoil phonographs of Thomas Edison to the Victrola of Eldridge Reeves Johnson’s Victor Talking Machine Company while discovering the brilliant inventors and engineers who took recorded music from a novelty to a daily part of life. Accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017

“A Dog’s Tale.” Guided tours, entitled “Man’s Best Friend,” explore one of the most celebrated canines in the world—Nipper, the dog who adorns the Victor trademark, “His Masters Voice.” Programs will be accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Victor Talking Machine Company trademark featuring “Nipper”

Monday, Sept. 4, 2017

“A Dog’s Tale.” Guided tours, entitled “Man’s Best Friend,” explore one of the most celebrated canines in the world—Nipper, the dog who adorns the Victor trademark, “His Masters Voice.” Programs will be accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Sept. 16, 23 and 30, 2017

“Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.” Guided tours explore the museum and its collections during the golden anniversary of its creation in 1967, accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017

“A Diva’s Tale.” Program at 2:30 p.m.—“From Prima Donnas to Divas: A Victor Creation”—examines the talented female vocalists of the Victor Talking Machine Company and how they paved the way for the divas of today, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings of those artists played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Monday, Oct. 9, 2017

“Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.” Guided tours explore the museum and its collections during the golden anniversary of its creation in 1967, accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017

“A Classical Tale.” Guided tours, entitled “Some Like Classical,” explore some of Victor Records’ earliest recordings of classical music accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017

“A Soldier’s Tale.” Guided tours, entitled “The Victors of World War I: The Power of Music,” examine music’s influence during World War I when patriotic songs were being composed throughout America, accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

“Over There,” recorded by Victor Records, was a patriotic hit during World War I.

Friday, Nov. 24, 2017

“Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.” Guided tours explore the museum and its collections during the golden anniversary of its creation in 1967, accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017

“Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Country Tale.” Program, “Play That Old-Time Country Music,” explores Victor Records’ early recordings of country music, accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Programs at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the museum’s 2nd floor gallery (entry via staircase; no elevator). Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required for the programs by calling302-739-3262.

The Johnson Victrola Museum is administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, an agency of the State of Delaware. The division enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality and providing educational programs and assistance to the general public on Delaware history and heritage. The division’s diverse array of services includes administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, operation of museums and a conference center, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections and management of historic properties across Delaware. Primary funding for division programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, a federal agency. However, the contents and opinions expressed in the division’s programs and services do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of the Interior.

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