Mary Hopper began making waves this August when she announced her intention to found a computer history museum in Boston. News of the Digital Den was picked up by Open Apple Retro Computing Roundtable Boston Globe Apple II Bits .
The museum continues to evolve into a extant institution, as evidenced by the launch party held on October 20. As a backer of the museum’s Indiegogo campaign , I received an invitation to the event, where I was pleased to make the acquaintance of Dr. Hopper, Adam Rosen of the Vintage Mac Museum , and Ian S. King of the Living Computer Museum , as well as catch up with fellow retrocomputing enthusiast Dave Ross . On-hand were classic computers such as the Apple II, TI-99, and Nintendo Entertainment System , as well as newer tech like the Oculus Rift . It was an encouraging occasion for a museum that continues to seek a permanent home.
My photos from the event are posted below and are available under a CC-BY-NC license. The book featured below, Gordon Bell’s Out of a Closet: The Early Years of The Computer [x]* Museum the Digital Den’s first exhibit photos .
Mary's partner in crime invites attendees to play some Rock Band.
Mary's partner in crime invites attendees to play some Rock Band.
Ian King of the Living Computer Museum lends his support to the Digital Den.
Ian King of the Living Computer Museum lends his support to the Digital Den.
Marc Check of the Boston Museum of Science says a few words.
Marc Check of the Boston Museum of Science says a few words.
Mary makes an announcement about the future of the Digital Den.
Mary makes an announcement about the future of the Digital Den.
Out of a Closet: The Early Years of The Computer [x]* Museum.
Out of a Closet: The Early Years of The Computer [x]* Museum.
@csixty4 has a dactyl nightmare.
@csixty4 has a dactyl nightmare.
The profile on the Oculus Rift isn't quite so bad.
The profile on the Oculus Rift isn't quite so bad.
It wasn't until I saw this photo that I realized how ABSOLUTELY STUPID I looked.
It wasn't until I saw this photo that I realized how ABSOLUTELY STUPID I looked.
Using warp zones, I made it to the final level of the original Super Mario Bros., but didn't finish the game.
Using warp zones, I made it to the final level of the original Super Mario Bros., but didn't finish the game.
NOW we're talking.
NOW we're talking.
Inside Adam Rosen's Mac.
Inside Adam Rosen's Mac.
A hollowed-out Mac, with the signatures visible.
A hollowed-out Mac, with the signatures visible.
"The inside of the original Macintosh cases had the design team signatures molded into the plastic."
"The inside of the original Macintosh cases had the design team signatures molded into the plastic."
Of COURSE I do.
Of COURSE I do.
@csixty4 makes a trek on the Oregon Trail.
@csixty4 makes a trek on the Oregon Trail.
An attendee gets crazy with some Crystal Quest.
An attendee gets crazy with some Crystal Quest.
The beckoning glow of Adam's Macs.
The beckoning glow of Adam's Macs.
Adam Rosen shows off some of his Mac collection.
Adam Rosen shows off some of his Mac collection.
I finally got the switchbox switched to the Apple II.
I finally got the switchbox switched to the Apple II.
A bird's-eye view of the IIe.
A bird's-eye view of the IIe.
The TI-99's on-hand inventory of software.
The TI-99's on-hand inventory of software.
The TI-99 with its software case.
The TI-99 with its software case.
The TI-99 running a chess program.
The TI-99 running a chess program.
Another angle of Apple II hardware and TI-99 software.
Another angle of Apple II hardware and TI-99 software.
Via a switchbox, this Apple IIe shared a monitor with the nearby TI-99.
Via a switchbox, this Apple IIe shared a monitor with the nearby TI-99.
My first sighting of a familiar computer.
My first sighting of a familiar computer.
Posters from the Living Computer Museum's gift shop greeted attendees to the Digital Den launch party.
Posters from the Living Computer Museum's gift shop greeted attendees to the Digital Den launch party.
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