Update on Katsbaan's Historic Pipe Organ
September, 2007
I'm so happy to report that Katsbaan's historic pipe organ is looking more and more like its "old self". Recently all three members of our organ restoration team were able to arrange their busy schedules so that they could get together to work on "Goliath".
The first week in September Richard delivered the all-important wind chests that he diligently worked on this past winter & spring.
We were thrilled to have the entire restoration team together from Sept. 11th through Sept. 14th. They made a tremendous amount of progress in a relatively short time. Pieces of this puzzle are slowly being introduced back into the framework. The wooden case pieces, as well as many of the smaller internal wooden pieces, have been painstakingly cleaned and are awaiting the day that they can be put into place. The wind system has been completed and the organ can now be pumped by hand.
(back view - pump handle connected to bellows by two ropes)
On Sept. 21st , on his way to an organ restoration project in Missouri, Richard made a quick stop at Katsbaan with a special delivery: the 3 keys that had been sent away for repairs. The 3 manuals (keyboards) are now complete.
Now that the major internal wooden pieces of the organ have been restored and put in place, the next phase will be to begin putting in the remaining parts (pipes, etc.). There is also more research to be done-we are still in search of that one piece of concrete evidence (a receipt, a note, a dated entry in a ledger somewhere) to prove that our organ is the Erben organ built for G.T. Strong in the early 1800's.
(September, 2005)
(September, 2007)
Once again, our thanks to everyone for supporting the restoration of the Katsbaan pipe organ. It renews our faith, and gives us hope that we can indeed complete this project before 2010.
Update on Katsbaan's Historic Pipe Organ
September, 2006
Amazing things are happening with Katsbaan's Historic Pipe Organ. Richard Hamar's work began in July, 2005, and continues even now. All of the pipes have been removed and cleaned, and most have been repaired and have received their tuning collars. The facade was removed and placed in storage. Wind chests, as well as the bellows and the keyboards, have been removed and are in the process of being repaired.
"Before"
7/23/05 ~ Removal of Facade
8/06/05 ~ Facade Completely Removed
7/20/05 ~ Richard Hamar
8/19/05
8/21/05
9/01/05
9/01/05
9/01/05
9/30/05
9/01/05
Dana, Barbara & Richard have been hard at work on the restoration process, including the research to discover the definitive answer to the question "Who built this organ?". From the clues they've uncovered thus far, they're feeling more and more confident that this organ is indeed the one that is documented to have been built by Erben for G. T. Strong in the early 1800's -- the organ that Strong nicknamed "Goliath".
"Goliath" as it looked September 16, 2006
Left photo: two of the three manuals (keyboards)
Right photo: bellows (under frame - white leather strips)
and swell windchest (set on top of frame).
Right photo: bellows (under frame - white leather strips)
and swell windchest (set on top of frame).
Exciting News:
On September 20, 2006 Richard Hamar reported
that restoration of the third keyboard has been completed.
He will will return it to Katsbaan sometime in the next several weeks!
He is also working towards completion of the great windchest.
If you are able to send a donation, checks made payable to "Katsbaan Reformed Church Organ Fund" may be sent to: Katsbaan Organ Restoration Project, c/o Janice M. Trevail, 1866 High Falls Road, Catskill, NY 12414-5411.
Once the restoration process has been completed, everyone will receive an invitation to the recital that will be held to honor this very special instrument.
Please take a moment to pray for the success of this project.
Thank You and God Bless You!
which includes the history of the organ.
