There is magic in repetition.

It is important for each item to stand, literally, on its own so as to maintain its own integrity.

When I collect I like to get three of the same item. Three marbles, three cars, three beads, etc.

If I can get the same item in one of each color, I am happy.

I will go into a shop without anything specific in mind and sometimes an item selects me.

Be amused, be amazed, be astounded!

Feel the magic, experience the joy.

Michael’s Museum is not only a miniatures museum.

Small things are the essence of life to be enjoyed in your hand.

The pocket is a wonderful treasure chest.

It only takes two items to make a collection.

When asked by the store keeper, “What are you going to do with the beads you purchased?” To her amazement, I replied “Keep them in a drawer.”

One of my recent greatest desires has been that a mainstream museum would want to pick up Michael’s Museum in its entirety and move it from m home to install it in one of their galleries to be open to the public. This dream has come true in The Chicago Children’s Museum.

Michael’s Museum is my interpretation of all the beauty in life reduced to something that can be held in your hand.

Michael’s Museum is a collection of collections. It has become a kind of folk art installation in which the whole has more impact than any one item or one collection.

Michael’s Museum has an energy of its own that causes people to wonder out loud, share their experiences, reminisce, and tell stories.

Michael’s Museum causes intergenerational interaction, sharing, and learning which releases the past, confirms the present, and insures the future.

I do not know exactly how many items are in the museum, it would be too claustrophobic to know!

Michael’s Museum is a way of preserving the memories and fantasies of my youth.

I love to share the museum with people and watch them leave with a little more joy in their heart.

While I love little things, I love to think, dream, and live big.

I am “amused, amazed, and astounded” that Michael’s Museum has found a new home in The Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier. I never dreamed this would happen. Now thousands, tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of people will get to enjoy what I have created.

Sometimes I like to pretend that I am real.

I never mean for this to happen!

I cannot say that the installation of Michael’s Museum at The Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier exceeds my wildest expectations because I never expected this to happen. I am, however, overwhelmingly surprised and pleased and honored and grateful.

”It’s wonderful to see a place that asks us all to examine the small things in life. What a fabulous place!“ David

”It reminds me of the top shelf in my closet.“ Bessie

”The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Children’s Museum have recognized the brilliance of your passion for all things small!“ L.S.

”To stand in the room and turn like the hands of a clock is to experience the likes of which you might never have seen before.“ Barbara Mahany. Chicago Tribune Staff Writer, April 1, 2007

“The wonder of childhood fits into a one-room museum.“ Barbara Mahany, Chicago Tribune Staff Writer, April 1, 2007

“Horvich wants you to leave with a little bit of delight in your heart. He wants you to have reclaimed a bit of your childhood.”

Barbara Mahany, Chicago Tribune Staff Writer, April 1, 2007

“ No fool Michael Horvich, the man with the museum of shrunken treasures Q wrote about back on April Fools' Day.”

Barbara Mahany, Chicago Tribune Staff Writer, December 30, 2007

Quotes from Friends of

Michael’s Museum