You can tour the Steinway piano factory, you know. It’s just sitting up there, at the north end of Steinway Street in Queens, doing its thing like it’s done since, oh, right after the Civil War. Peter finally got on the stick and scheduled a tour–but you have to plan way ahead. Peter called in November, and the first dates available were for May.

So if you have a spring trip to NYC planned, call now! (718) 204-3175.

The place is a marvel of hand-crafted skill, scaled up and mechanized only slightly. And solidly union.

Steinway=sweet ride.

Safety glasses are required. Our tour guide (background) was a retired carpenter.

Wood choices.

Of course the wood floors in this place are beautiful.

And of course in a factory full of carpenters, you get a good dry-erase-marker holder.

A little bit of Astoria Ugly style in the shipping room.

Right after we took the tour, this spring, the Steinway company was bought by a hedge-fund bajillionaire. I hope it all works out OK. In the 1870s, Steinway was New York City’s largest employer, and it still provides good jobs for really skilled people.

I’m also still rooting for the Steinway Mansion. Check it out while you’re up here for the tour.