Music and history will come together in a powerful new way when a unique exhibit opens at the Museum of Flight on August 9. Titled Victory Verticals, the temporary exhibit runs through September 7 and highlights the remarkable story of Steinway & Sons’ “Victory Vertical” pianos—rugged, morale-boosting instruments sent into battle during World War II. These compact upright pianos were built to withstand the rigors of war—riding in bombers, aboard ships, and across rough terrain to bring music to American troops stationed across the globe. Lighter and smaller than traditional uprights, the Victory Verticals were designed to be easily transported to frontlines in all climates, offering a rare comfort from home amid the chaos of war.
Victory Verticals will showcase three fully restored and playable WWII-era Steinways in the Museum’s World War II gallery. To bring the exhibit to life, a series of live mini concerts by local Seattle pianists will allow visitors to hear 1940s-era music just as servicemen and women might have experienced it nearly 80 years ago. Admission to both the exhibit and the concerts is included with regular museum entry. Performance schedules and additional details will be available on the Museum’s online calendar.
Opening Day Events – Saturday, August 9
The exhibit’s grand opening will feature a special afternoon of performances, talks, and artist appearances dedicated to the story of these remarkable instruments. At 12:00 p.m., Victory Vertical collector and restorer Frank Haude will kick off the day with stories from his decades-long quest to find and restore these rare wartime pianos. His presentation will reveal the human stories, global travels, and historical connections behind these instruments. Following at 1:00 p.m., artist and piano technician Jordan Cook will explore how these Steinways serve not only as musical tools but as time capsules. Her talk will delve into the craftsmanship, historical context, and emotional resonance built into each instrument. Cook is one of the few specialists actively restoring WWII-era Victory Verticals today. At 2:00 p.m., the team behind the French-language graphic novel Interlude—artist Celia Ducaju, writer Céline M. Pieters, and pianist Théo Braekman—will take the stage for a multimedia presentation and live piano performance. The event celebrates the U.S. release of their book, which follows a WWII unit and their Victory Vertical piano. Vivid illustrations will accompany Braekman’s live renditions of 1940s classics featured in the novel.
A book signing with Ducaju and Pieters will follow the presentation at 3:00 p.m.—their first in the United States. The Victory Verticals exhibit offers a rare opportunity to explore an overlooked chapter of World War II history—one where music lifted spirits, built camaraderie, and echoed across the frontlines. It’s a story of craftsmanship, creativity, and courage told through the enduring sound of Steinway pianos.
