Music Man Square honors Mason City native Meredith Willson
“76 Trombones led the big parade.” That classic song from the movie musical “The Music Man” jumped inside my head when we visited Music Man Square in Mason City. It’s the hometown of the musical’s writer, Meredith Willson.
Music Man Square is located to Willson’s childhood home, just a few blocks from downtown Mason City. The square gives visitors a view into life in River City. The main street is based on the movie’s set. A museum recognizing Willson and the importance of music is adjacent.
At one end of the street is the gift shop, which looks like an old house…with rocking chairs on the porch.
River City High School can be rented for parties and events.
Clothing stores for men and women are on the main street. The women’s store had a nice display of ladies’ hats, among other items.
What street based on Willson’s musical would not have a music store?
An old-fashioned soda fountain can be found on the street. It’s an actual operating ice cream parlor.
A pool hall, where the riff raff hung out, according to Professor Harold Hill in the musical, is at the end of the street. A pool table stands in the middle of the Pleez-All.
The streetscape is very cool to check out. Explore at your own pace when you visit.
We visited the museum dedicated to Willson. A bust of the writer is among his works and honors. Willson wrote more than “The Music Man.” But, it may be his most famous work. “The Music Man” won the 1963 Golden Globe as “Best Musical.” Willson was nominated for best score, along with other cast members’ nominations.
A large trombone features notes, poems and songs from visitors.
A documentary about the musical and its premiere in Mason City runs on a loop, so you can hear Shirley Jones and other actors discuss the movie.
A hall of musical instruments is very well situated. A lot of the instruments are on loan from the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota.
Instruments are set up via time periods, starting with the Civil War and moving into the early 1900s.
Pioneer music is also featured in the exhibit.
Willson performed as a member of John Philip Sousa’s band.
The museum features a replica of Willson’s California study where he worked, but includes an actual piano he used.
One exhibit I liked was reminiscent of a scene from the movie. A girl is practicing piano in the front room of a house. You can watch through the front window or the door. The interior looks like an actual room from a house during the early 1900s.
Willson’s brother and sister were also artists. His brother was a musician, as well.
Willson’s sister was an actress and author. She performed as a member of the Ziegfeld Follies. She worked with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, because she wanted to learn about being a circus performer. She authored several books and short stories.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the Willson home next door to the museum. Willson was born in the home. It is beautiful and has been restored to resemble life when Meredith was growing up. Unfortunately, photography inside the house is not allowed.
A statue of Willson greets visitors just outside the museum. The lyrics of “76 Trombones” are etched along the top of the building’s exterior.
Our visit to Music Man Square followed Mason City’s celebration of marching bands. The North Iowa Festival featured 18 bands from regional schools. The festival included a parade that attracted a few thousand people.
Mason City High School led off the parade with Willson’s “76 Trombones.”
The parade featured a variety of floats and vehicles. We thought this car fit the occasion.
The Music Man Square was definitely worth the visit. This was our second time in the area since last October. We highlighted a visit to Mason City then – http://thewalkingtourists.com/mason-city-iowa-home-music-man/.
For more information on the Music Man Square and museum, please visit www.themusicmansquare.org.
