Church Pump Organ

[80pfd]

While in Gary, MN. last weekend, I was approached by a long time friend, resident of Gary, and member of the St. Petri Lutheran Church. His name is Alden Anderson. He has possession of the pump organ used at St. Petri from its purchase in the early 1900's to its retirement in the 1950's. It does work as he can still play it in his house.
The organ is an 1898 Packard church pump organ with a single keyboard. The keyboard has couplers for the octaves ( please do not ask me about what these couplers are like -- the only couplers I know of have to do with pipe fittings). The organ has very ornate woodwork and the bellows work.
Alden would like to donate the organ to WMSTR. He knows of the Downer church, but did not know if there would be interest in having the organ. He asked me to relay this information because he knows I am a member.
Please contact me for further information.
Thank You.
Paul

[M Kerkvliet]

We have recently turned down an organ Paul. I cannot speak for the whole board at this time, but I will check and see this Friday if there is any interest.

The biggest reason is the state of repair of the Downer church. It has some structural issues, and has had some moisture problems. Putting an exhibit like that in that building may not be in anyones best interest.

Again, I will check with the board and get back to you. Please thank your friend for thinking of the WMSTR.

[80pfd]

Mark;
Thank you for the reply.
When Charlene and I were in the Gary area from the 25th to the the 27th, we did stop at Rollag to visit and see what we have missed. We did stop last Sunday as we made our way back home. At that time, we were told of moisture problems at the Downer Church and the work that was going on at the time to work on the church problems.
Please contact me as soon as you can about the Board's decision. I do not know at this time how long Alden is willing to keep the St. Petrie organ in his living room. I do know that he does not want it to become firewood as long as the organ can still make music.
Thank you for your time.
Paul

[thevintageangel]

Is there anywhere we could store something like that while the Church is being repaired??

[karl stange]

in the mercantile, along the east wall, for storage and use?

in the school house?

the ladies boutique building?

the general store?

the downer church has a pump organ already but one of the pump pedals does not work properely, so this st. petrie pump organ would be nice to recieve.

[mrnewway]

Karl:
Thanks for pointing out that there are places that the pump organ can be stored.
I would hate to see this piece of early history not be accepted.
Better leave it at this, see you in about a week.
Jim

[M Kerkvliet]

Because of a lack of a safe environment to store this organ, the board has decided not to accept the donation of this organ.

The problem is folks, that we have buildings full of things that have been donated, and they eventually get thrown out because of lack of interest. Given the condition of the Downer Church, it would be unfair to take a nice piece like that and have it literally destroyed by the elements, little critters, and whatever else imaginable could happen to something as delicate as this organ.

We are constantly getting complaints about display pieces that are ignored, or left to deteriorate, and it is the fear of the Board of Directors that this would be one more item that would meet that fate.

Paul... please thank your friend for considering us. Ask him to get in contact with Bonanzaville in West Fargo and see if they would be interested. There were some at the meeting who thought that they might be interested.

[thevintageangel]

Mark,

I understand the board's concern. Also, I wonder if anything is in the plans to help restore the Downer Church? It seems that if it is in that bad of condition we need to do something about it. I know, it's one more thing to add to the list, it just seems like it might be a major issue. Haven't we had other offers on churches as well?

[80pfd]

To Mark and All;
I understand the WMSTR Board's decision. Thank You to all for your interest.
I will be getting in touch with Alden to inform him of what has been going on.
If any one who is reading about this organ has serious interest, please e-mail, phone, or snail-mail me and I will forward that information to Alden and he can discuss the organ with you.
Thank you again.
Paul

[M Kerkvliet]

Mark,

I understand the board's concern. Also, I wonder if anything is in the plans to help restore the Downer Church? It seems that if it is in that bad of condition we need to do something about it. I know, it's one more thing to add to the list, it just seems like it might be a major issue. Haven't we had other offers on churches as well?

This subject came up at a meeting last fall. The church is on the radar, but like you said Crystal... the list is long!

Anyone interested in the fate of the Downer Church, whatever that fate may be, should come to a board meeting sometime this fall and start some discussion. It is going to be a big project, whatever is done.

[Lee]

Could something be set up in the "members only" section for selling or giving away items that people might be interested in? Everybody has a special something that turns their crank and instead of throwing something away it could go to someone that would take care of it.
It seems like lately there has been a lot of irreplaceable things thrown out or scrapped. Whether it is an old tractor being crushed for China or an old piece of furniture that is just taking up space, once it is gone, it is gone forever.
My hats off to the people that help save our heritage. People like Alden Anderson recognized that it was unique and deserved to be saved.
While WMSTR cannot accept everything that is offered, maybe this forum can be used to help other people find that special something that might otherwise get destroyed.
And yes, I am a terrible pack rat. I hate to throw anything away.

[M Kerkvliet]

Could something be set up in the "members only" section for selling or giving away items that people might be interested in?

Good idea Jeff. I will discuss it with Rick, Vern and the moderators and see if we can set something like that up!

And yes, I am a terrible pack rat. I hate to throw anything away.

I have the same problem with throwing things out! It is tempting to take items that you don't have the heart to throw out, to a place like Rollag... so they can store them, and then eventually they can throw it out! Keeps my conscience clear! I am not saying that every piece of history is junk, but there is a lot of it that is, and the WMSTR show grounds is loaded with examples. The Board eluded to that in the last newsletter.

As a personal example, a few weeks back my wife handed me an old iron and told me to get rid of it... (she bought a new one). There was nothing wrong with the old one... it was just old! Rather than throw it away like I should have, I took it to the Dakota Boys Ranch Thrift Store, right next door to my employer, and left it with them. For all I know it went in the dumpster as soon as I got out of the parking lot... but at least I left thinking I had done something good!

[M Kerkvliet]

Could something be set up in the "members only" section for selling or giving away items that people might be interested in? Everybody has a special something that turns their crank and instead of throwing something away it could go to someone that would take care of it.


Done deal Jeff!

The Board was OK with it, and Rick has it up and running.

Thanks for the suggestion!