Music store houses a museum of some note
A Vega Banjo and a ukulele are displayed as is an African trumpet, to the left of the banjo. Gorby’s
Music Store in South Charleston, WV, has a large collection of musical instruments that were
gathered by the late store founder Charles H. Gorby.
Known locally as the "Music Man", Charles Gorby, who died in 2004 at the age of 94, helped start
many school marching bands in the area. He began by selling instruments door to door, said his
son, Jerry.
"He would get the kids organized and bands started," Jerry said. "We figure he started about 50
bands in West Virginia and Virginia."
Through the years, many designers of musical instruments have visited the store to give workshops
or just to visit.
A Vega Banjo and a ukulele are displayed as is an African trumpet, to the left of the banjo. Gorby’s
Music Store in South Charleston, WV, has a large collection of musical instruments that were
gathered by the late store founder Charles H. Gorby.
Known locally as the "Music Man", Charles Gorby, who died in 2004 at the age of 94, helped start
many school marching bands in the area. He began by selling instruments door to door, said his
son, Jerry.
"He would get the kids organized and bands started," Jerry said. "We figure he started about 50
bands in West Virginia and Virginia."
Through the years, many designers of musical instruments have visited the store to give workshops
or just to visit.
"One of the Steinway brothers came here for a day," Jerry said. In one of the museum rooms is an 1875 Steinway and Sons Style II
square piano
Gorby's Museum of Music has had visitors from 33 states and 16 countries. Many of the museum's guests come to study the old
instruments, observing the design and craftsmanship their makers put into the work, Jerry said. "All of these are a part of Gorby's
history," Jerry said. "We've been on the same street in South Charleston for all these years, and we'll be here for a long time to come."
square piano
Gorby's Museum of Music has had visitors from 33 states and 16 countries. Many of the museum's guests come to study the old
instruments, observing the design and craftsmanship their makers put into the work, Jerry said. "All of these are a part of Gorby's
history," Jerry said. "We've been on the same street in South Charleston for all these years, and we'll be here for a long time to come."
A medieval illuminated manuscript,
circa 1500, written on velum, or
animal skin, hangs on store wall.
circa 1500, written on velum, or
animal skin, hangs on store wall.
