BANJO COLLECTORS GATHERING (14 Anniversary Event)--Don't miss it!

[Greg Adams]

Hello everyone,

I recently corresponded with Jim Bollman (one of our newest members on this site) and he asked if I would kindly post information about the next Banjo Collectors Gathering. It is The Premier Event that includes notable coverage of antebellum/early banjos. In our email exchange, Jim wanted me to emphasize that this year will feature Marc Fields' preview of the PBS documentary " Give Me The Banjo " (one day before the public airing on November 4th). Jim will also have 3 different open house sessions for anyone interested in seeing his personal collection of banjos and ephemera (including lots of early minstrel related stuff and some new minstrel banjo additions to the collection). EVEN MORE NOTABLY, a descendant of Wm. E. Boucher, Jr., Scott Steward, will attend and give a talk on Boucher family genealogy (he's a professional genealogist by vocation).

 

In terms of the formalities, I am posting below, in its entirety, an email post from Hank Schwartz about this event! It is not to be missed if you can make it!!!!

+++++++++++++++++++

Ladies, Gentlemen, and Banjo Collectors near and far,

The fourteenth anniversary Banjo Collectors Gathering will take place in the Boston, MA area from Thursday evening, November 3, through noon on Sunday, November 6, 2011.

 

We've already lined up several outstanding events including:

- Private viewing of the Musical Instrument Collection at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, including the MFA's outstanding collection of banjos and guitars and the Consalvi banjo and related materials. We'll also be able to tour the new, highly acclaimed American Wing.

- Preview of Mark Field's comprehensive Banjo Project video.

- History and personal reminiscences of the A. E. Smith Banjo Company by co-founder Kate Spencer.

 

Jim will host small-group viewings of his unparalleled collection of 19th C banjos, toys, photographs and ephemera on Wednesday evening, Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning (signup required). The Gathering will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 420 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, MA 02451, conveniently located off exit 27a of Rt. 95 /128 which is the inner ring road just west of Boston.

 

Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Call 781-890-0100, or register online at www.bostonwaltham.hgi.com. Identify yourself with the Banjo Collectors Gathering and code BAN11 (one,one) for a special room rate of $105 per night single or double occupancy. A limited number of discounted rooms are available on a first come, first served basis so we recommend that you make reservations early.

 

The registration fee for the Gathering is $225 (the $25 increase over last year's fee is required because of the unusually high cost of the meeting room rental. However we hope that this is offset by the exceptionally reasonable cost of the guestrooms). As always, we recommend signing up early to avoid disappointment as we can only accommodate a limited number of participants.

Registration payments should be made to:

Peter Szego
2 Beekman Lane

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

 

If you have any questions, you can email Peter at [e-mail], or Jim at [e-mail].

We look forward to seeing you all in Boston in November.

All best wishes, Jim Bollman, Peter Szego and Hank Schwartz

[Trapdoor2]

Man! I wish I could go to this... I have relatives in Gloucester (and Lowell) that I could stay with. Unfortunately, I'll have burned my vacation time up at the ABF rally in October.

Somebody take a bunch of pix for us!

[Andy Chase]

Oh, man... practically in my back yard, but it's not in my budget.  Maybe next year!