The museum was founded in 1980 by Arthur Futer, renowned historian, Indian archeologist and noted Percussionist with the New Holland Band. First located in his home in New Holland, the museum was moved to the old New Holland Borough Building in 1983 and then moved again in 1997 to its present location, the second floor of the Eastern Lancaster County Library Building in New Holland.
The museum houses hundreds of musical instruments from 1620 to present day. In addition it includes many community band uniforms and memorabilia from community bands throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. Included in the museum collection are photographs of New Holland Band activities throughout the long history of the band beginning in 1856. Since Mr. Futer was a well known and renowned percussionist the museum includes many examples of percussion instruments through the years. The drum being the oldest musical instrument, the collection includes examples of bass drums, tympani, snare drums, trap drums, cymbals, xylophones, as well as many of the accessories included in the percussion section.
