BRATTLEBORO — Over the years, the Estey Organ Museum in Brattleboro has received a number of reed organs which are no longer needed for the museum's permanent collection.
As a way to free up storage space, as well as pass some of these instruments on to those who would have a use for them, the museum is holding a Reed Organ Re-Homing Weekend on Oct. 24 and 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the museum on 108 Birge St.
These instruments range in condition from just dusty to requiring complete re-building or re-purposing. Also available are parts for reed organs, pipe organs, and early electronic organs.
The Estey Organ Museum was founded to celebrate the work of the Estey Organ Company which, over a period of 110 years, manufactured over 520,000 reed organs, 3,200 pipe organs, and, in its final years, even electronic organs. Reed organ manufacture began in Brattleboro in 1846 when two brothers, Joseph and Samuel Jones arrived and set up their business in rented shop space.
In 1853, local businessman and entrepreneur Jacob Estey bought out the Jones brothers' business, and the rest is history. Inventive geniuses Levi Fuller and William Haskell contributed their skills to the company's success.
Questions about the event may be directed to Philip Stimmel, managing director of the Estey Organ Museum, 802-246 8366 or [email protected].