When the congregation of the East Rochester Church at 355 County Road dwindled to a very few, the church was sold for a dollar to the Historical Society and took on a new mission as a museum to gather and preserve Rochester history. Inside the Museum, it still remains a church, but one with a multitude of historic artifacts, books, pictures, and more.
One of the most imposing of the historic treasures is the organ to the right of the altar. At first glance, it appears to be a pipe organ. However, the pipes are purely decorative, and it is actually a rare Vocalion reed organ. This type organ produces a sound that many say is equal to that of a pipe organ, but operates differently than your typical reed organ. Reed organs operate on suction to produce sound, but a Vocalion operates on pressure. This pressure operation mimics the human throat. The Vocalion organ contains a number of “throats” that range in size much greater than the capacity of any human throat.
When played, air passes from a windchest (think: human lungs) and this causes the reeds to vibrate and go into openings (think human mouth) and results in music. This organ was built in 1895 by Mason & Risch, formally known as Hamilton Vocalion Organ Mfg, Co. of Worchester, MA. In advertisements and catalogs of the 1800s, the description of the Vocalions state that they are as carefully constructed as any pipe organ and while much less expensive produce tones as beautiful as the finest pipe organs.
The Museum’s organ was donated to church in 1932 by a Mrs. Stone. It had been part of the Hathaway Estate in Wareham. Originally the organ had bellows that were manually pumped by a wooden handle that went into a slot on the side. On the backboard of the organ are initials we think were probably left by long-ago bellows pumpers. The bellows are still there but no longer functional because the organ has been electrified.
At 125 years old, it’s not surprising that it is in need of some restoration in order to reach a fully playable condition. Throughout the organ are worn felt and leather bushings and linkages. Some of the reeds are bent, broken, or missing entirely. That said, it still produces music. We have had several concerts to benefit the Vocalion and some work has been done. A few years ago, the organ blower motor was replaced. It was moved inside, so it no longer takes in outside air. The work was done by members, Mack and Cathy Phinney along with Joe Sloan, a specialist in repair and restoration.
As previously mentioned, Vocalions are rare. They also hold a significant place in the history of musical development in America. Needless to say, we are proud to have in our museum collection and hop in the future to have the funds for more restoration.
by Connie Eshbach