What:MARCH is a non-profit user group for vintage computer enthusiasts. Our mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit vintage computers and their related software, accessories, and culture. We do this not just for ourselves, but to educate any adult or child with an interest in the history of information technology. Why:Because it's fun, important for history, fun, educational, and did we mention fun? We collect, preserve, and exhibit vintage computers for the same reason others collect, preserve, and exhibit art or automobiles or furniture or stamps or anything else. Vintage computers have character, not like modern beige-box PCs. Who:Our members are computer hobbyists of all types. As of January 2007 we have approximately 150 members. We have five officers: Evan Koblentz (president and co-founder), Bill Degnan (vice-president and web hoster), Andy Meyer (vice-president and co-founder), Jim Scheef (treasurer), and John Allain (officer-at-large.) Where:We're concentrated in the scalene triangle between Hartford, Pittsburgh, and Washington D.C., although we have members as far away as New Hampshire, California, and North Carolina. Our virtual home is here at midatlanticretro.org but most of our online action transpires in a Yahoo group here. Our physical home is the InfoAge Science Center -- a former R&D facility of the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. of America, and also a former top-secret military base -- located in Wall Township, N.J., also known as Belmar. When:Right now! MARCH hosts and participates in technical and social events year-round. Check the calendar in the right column of this web site. How:Our club's basic structure is to discuss things in our Yahoo group and execute on decisions both individually and by committee. MARCH purchases an annual liability insurance policy. We raise money primarily through our events and individual donations. We don't have dues. Instead we operate like shareware: we're free but we ask for donations if you like us and in turn we give members-only perks. The suggested annual donation is $20: Contact:We love to hear from new people. Contact us if you're interested in joining our club, donating computers or materials or funds, are a member of the media, or if you just have a question or comment. Contact president Evan Koblentz at evank(at)midatlanticretro.org or call (646) 546-9999 in the afternoon or evening for more information. Inventory DatabaseOur collections database is incomplete but we're constantly adding to it. Buy some MARCH merchandisePlease visit our CafePress store to get cool club logo gear. All prices include a small donation to the club. |
Upcoming Events:
Past events:
Museum:We're building a bricks-and-mortar computer museum at the InfoAge Science Center in Wall Township (Belmar), New Jersey. Currently we have a small preview room open most Sundays from 1-4 pm, based on the collections of Dimitry Grabbe and many others, but there's much more to see at InfoAge: antique radios, military technology, model trains, shipwreck exhibits, the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame, a space flight exhibit, the Project Diana antenna, and much more! Behind the scenes, we are actively renovating a wing of a former U.S. military base, where we'll start with approximately 960 square feet of exhibit space. We plan to host a grand opening event for our computer museum in fall 2008. We need your help! We need people to donate funds, labor, construction and exhibiting materials, and of course vintage computers. We host club work days once or twice each month to encourage steady progress. Our group also maintains a secure storage room and we share a repair workshop with the New Jersey Antique Radio Club. |
Copyright © 2007, Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists, Inc.