Hear Ben's Spacey Musical Instrument Saturday Afternoon

Music lovers and history enthusiasts alike are invited to a rare and captivating performance when Vera Meyer performs on the Glass Armonica, the hauntingly beautiful instrument some have described as 'spacey' invented by Benjamin Franklin, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1:00 pm. The concert will take place at Franklin United Methodist Church, located at 80 West Central Street in Franklin, and is free and open to the public.

Franklin invented the Glass Armonica in 1761 after being inspired by musicians rubbing the rims of wine glasses. His ingenious refinement—mounting graduated glass bowls on a rotating spindle—created an instrument capable of producing ethereal, sustained tones unlike anything heard before or since. The sound fascinated 18th-century audiences and inspired composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Donizetti, all of whom wrote works specifically for the instrument.

Vera Meyer is one of the world’s leading Glass Armonica performers and scholars. With decades of experience, she has performed internationally, recorded extensively, and helped revive interest in Franklin’s remarkable invention. Meyer is no stranger to Franklin; she has previously visited the town to perform and to share the history of the instrument with appreciative local audiences.

This concert is part of Ben Franklin Month, a community-wide celebration of Franklin’s life, ideas, and enduring influence. The event is sponsored in part by the Franklin Historical Museum and the Franklin United Methodist Church, with financial support from the Franklin Cultural Council. Together, they invite the public to experience a sound that once amazed the Founding Fathers—and still amazes audiences today.