April 2026 Museum Newsletter
This newsletter is also available as a downloadable PDF.
Table of Contents
Welcome to Issue 1 of the official Midwest Computer Museum newsletter! The Midwest Computer Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to curate and propagate the history of computers. First founded in 2019, we meet that challenge by collecting and restoring vintage computers with the goal of teaching the history of computing to all generations.
Recent Events
Indy Vintage Computer Festival
During April 2026, the museum had a display at the Indy Vintage Computer Festival (Indianapolis) that featured computers released in 1980. Our display included:
- TRS-80 Model 3
- VIC-20
- Tandy Pocket PC
- Tandy Model 2
- Atari 400
- Atari 800
- Apple II+
- TI-99/4A
The show was a big success. Many visitors viewed our display and played on the computers.
In 2025, a twenty-foot-long cargo trailer was donated to the museum. In time, our goal is to fit the cargo trailer with everything it needs to be used to show off the history of computers. The cargo trailer was painted white on the inside and commercial carpet was laid in the main display area. The shelves installed are sixteen feet long on both sides. Currently, the shelves on one side are only temporary with the goal of making them hinged, so they can be lowered while the trailer is being moved or being used to transport computers. Our second priority is to find a building that would house our collection as a museum open to the public.
VCF East Festival
The museum’s president (Ken Edwards) had a display at the VCF (Vintage Computer Federation) East Festival. The museum displayed the lineage of the Apple II computers; starting with Ken’s replica of an Apple 1 that he is building.
Next, we had an original Apple II with period correct floppy drive and monitor on loan from Luis Alcaraz, the museum’s vice president. After that we had an Apple II Plus on loan from Ken Edwards along with an Apple IIe, Apple IIe Enhanced, Apple Image Writer II, and Apple IIe Platinum also on loan from Ken Edwards. An Apple IIc Portable and Apple 2GS computer was also featured (owned by the museum). Finally, Randy Kindig loaned us his Apple IIc Plus computer. Dayton Computer Museum, at the table next to us, showcased the Apple III.
The VCF East Festival gave us the first opportunity to display our two new eight-foot banners, also donated.
There is a great little YouTube video showing the museum’s set up: Watch on YouTube
PayPal Donations Now Accepted
The museum has set up PayPal donations. You can donate directly from our Donate page.
Franklin ACE 1000
The museum acquired an Apple II clone called the Franklin ACE 1000. It came with a CP/M card and 80 column card installed. The keyboard is currently being repaired with foam and foil pads.
Recent Donations Received
We are grateful for the following recent donations:
- Two eight-foot-long banners with stands
- An Apple IIGS (Woz edition) from System Source in New Jersey
- An Apple II Plus (keyboard needs to be fixed)
- Three old style CRT TVs to be used with Atari 400, 800 and TI/994A
- A non-working IBM 5151 CRT display for an IBM 5150 computer
- A large collection from Ohio including:
- A group of older CPUs
- An IBM 5150 (needs speaker and speaker bracket)
- An IBM Convertible
- An IBM 5155 portable
- A TI 99/4A
- Some older computer magazines
- A Hercules Graphics card for the IBM 5150
- Various operation systems on CD
- An original Apple IIGS keyboard with cable and mouse
Items We Would Like to Have Donated
If you have any of the following items and would like to donate them to the museum, please reach out!
- An original Apple II computer, monitor and disk drive
- An Apple II super serial card
- A Bell and Howell Apple II computer with monitor and disk drive
- An Apple IIc Plus and monitor
- An Apple IIe with dual disk drive and color Apple monitor
- A Tandy Color Computer 1 (we already have a CoCo 2 and a CoCo 3)
- A completed replica of an Apple 1
- A TI 99/4 (we already have a TI 99/4A)
- A TI monitor that was sold with the TI 99/4A
- An Altair 8800
- A Model 33 ASR (Automatic Send and Receive) Teletype
- An IMSAI 8080
Conclusion
Ken Edwards (museum president) would like to thank all the people who have supported the start of this museum. That includes all the people who volunteer their expertise to repair our computers and help set up and take down our displays. And of course, those who have given vintage computers and financial support; without all of you, there would be no Midwest Computer Museum.
We would like to display the trailer at various festivals and libraries in Indiana this summer. Our two biggest challenges are needing $800 for the museum trailer’s liability insurance and to find insurance for the trailer itself.
If you would like to help the museum or would like to make a financial donation, please contact Ken at ken.edwards@midwestcomputermuseum.com or use our Donate page.