Robert Bernardo presents newly recorded footage of Bart van Akker’s VCF West 2025 talk. In this session, Bart shares his passion for the HomeComputerMuseum. He explains how it began, how it runs today, and how it recently partnered with Commodore.
The Bart van Akker VCF West presentation offers an engaging story about turning a personal dream into a thriving museum. Filmed at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, Bart recounts his journey from musician to curator. His talk mixes humor, setbacks, and determination, making it a highlight of the festival.
A key moment of the Bart van Akker VCF West appearance is his announcement that the HomeComputerMuseum is now the official Commodore Museum. Commodore’s trademarks have been reacquired, bringing the brand back under community leadership. Bart confirms new collaborations with David Pleasance and Leonard Tramiel. Together, they plan to relaunch Commodore hardware, including a new Commodore 64 Ultimate system and genuine replacement chips.
Bart also explains how the museum serves as a nonprofit and a social hub. With over 50 volunteers, it supports people with autism and those reentering the workforce. Visitors can explore more than 350 working computers from the 1970s through the 2000s. Each display tells the story of its users. Bart calls the experience “Disney World for computer nerds,” and visitors agree.
The Bart van Akker VCF West talk ends on a hopeful note. The HomeComputerMuseum continues to grow through education, restoration, and collaboration. Its work connects generations and keeps classic computing alive for the future.
