On February 27, 2026, MOMRI Director Olivier Urbain and Museum Headquarters Director Hayami welcomed Ms. Claire Tomasi, Membership Coordinator of the Morris Museum, to explore the potential of aesthetics, in particular the beauty of musical instruments, sound recording and reproduction devices, to contribute to peacebuilding.

The Min-On Music Museum currently displays a collection of Regina Mechanical Musical Instruments, crafted in Rahway, NJ, just 15 miles from the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ. The Morris Museum proudly displays its own collection of Regina Mechanical Musical Instruments as a testament to the region’s music, and musical instrument history. Ms. Tomasi and Dr. Urbain reflected on the importance and recognition of these instruments internationally, as Regina Mechanical Musical Instruments have brought people from all over the globe together in celebration of these beautiful, and timeless works that still play today.

They noted that visitors are attracted, feel inspired, and create temporary communities, around musical instruments and devices, and that three layers of impact can be distinguished. Musicking has the potential to connect people when they engage through

• listening, playing, drumming, singing, participating in musical activities in various forms.
• doing research, teaching, discussing and dialoguing about musical activities.
• gathering around, exhibiting, preserving, and showing musical instruments and devices.

Ms. Tomasi shared various ways in which the Morris Museum facilitates engagement and connection with visitors from the communities close to the museum, and with temporary visitors from afar. Given the broad range of MOMRI's main mission, "To pursue a multidisciplinary investigation of the potential application of music in peacebuilding activities," we have decided to continue our explorations of the roles of musical instruments and devices, and of museums that display them, in bringing people together.

You can visit the Morris Museum online here.