“All in Harmony: Mary Baker Eddy and Music”

Through November 2009

Now on display in the Library’s Lobby, this exhibit highlights the role of music in Mary Baker Eddy’s life. In the nineteenth century, music was a shared experience that brought family, friends, congregations, and other social groups together. All in Harmony lets visitors experience through sight and sound the music of Eddy’s time and to read her inspirational thoughts about music and the role it plays in her theology.

Four instruments used in Mary Baker Eddy’s home at Pleasant View or Chestnut Hill help to illustrate the importance of music to Eddy and members of her household. Featured are an upright grand piano manufactured by the Prescott Piano Company in Concord, New Hampshire; a Regina Music Box that was a gift from two of Eddy’s students; an Aeolian pianola, a type of “player piano,” a unique instrument that attaches to a piano and requires a “demonstrator” or pianolist to mechanically produce music; and a Victor Victrola, purchased in 1909 and enjoyed by Eddy and her staff. These instruments, along with other artifacts, documents, historic photographs, and reminiscences from the Library’s collections, show the impact that music had in Mary Baker Eddy’s home.

Also on display in the Library’s lobby are exhibit cases containing artifacts related to the mechanical aspects of the instruments, such as needles used with the Victrola, and items that tell a story of Mary Baker Eddy’s fondness for home and the song “Home Sweet Home.” An interactive kiosk, featuring musical instruments like the ones on exhibit, allows visitors to hear a few songs that Mary Baker Eddy enjoyed listening to, as well as one of her hymns.

Additional cases on the second and fourth floors include information on music in Christian Science services, the two church organs, and a display of music books from Mary Baker Eddy’s personal library and the library of Calvin A. Frye, her longtime secretary.