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Google to Create Virtual Tour of National Music Museum

National Music Museum

Google is coming to Vermillion to create a virtual tour of the National Music Museum. A crew will use  a seven- foot trolley to capture 360-degree imagery that will allow visitors from around the world to explore the museum’s collection of historical instruments online at the Google Cultural Institute.

Since its launch in 2011, the Google Cultural Institutehas partnered with institutions around the world and now has more than six million photos, videos and documents online. About 80 pieces from the National Music Museum are already featured on the Google site. The Google crew will take the trolley through the museum's galleries after hours on Friday. It'll take six to eight weeks before the virtual tour is available on line.

Cleveland Johnson joined Dakota Midday and said the virtual tour of the museum was something he wanted to have done since he became director of the National Music Museum two years ago.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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