This article is in part a look back at a previous article that I wrote in February of 2021 regarding a factory located in Rochester. The factory was the F.T. Anderson and Son Piano Manufacturers, and it was located in the woods off Walnut Plain Rd.
Frederick Anderson came from Sweden in 1883 and began a career in the piano making industry. He worked for the Vose Piano Factory in Boston and at Kurtzman’s in Buffalo, New York. After 41 yrs. in the industry, he retired with his family to their longtime vacation home in Rochester.
That retirement didn’t last long as he soon decided it was time to join with his son to start their own piano factory right here in town. Frederick and his son worked together using their skills as draftsmen, pattern makers and musicians to turn out finished pianos in 3 to 4 months.
In 1927 alone, they made and sold 24 pianos which were sent by truck to Middleboro to be collected by buyers or taken to the train for shipment. They made and sold upright pianos and baby grands. They also made a player piano as an experiment and kept that one in their showroom.
Now for the reason for this repeat article. I received an email from a woman who works for AARP in their Wish of a Lifetime department. The 94 yr. old woman’s whose wish she is working on is the granddaughter of our piano maker, Frederick Anderson. Her wish is to be able to play on one of his pianos.
It would seem that somewhere in our area an Anderson piano could be sitting in a home or hall. You lift the lid to find the maker (usually). So, my “wish” is if anyone has or knows of an F.T. Anderson & Son piano would you be willing to let our “wishee” play some music on it. We can all play detective and if anyone is successful, please contact me at eshbach2@aol.com or call 617 750 2818. I will be able to put you in contact with AARP’s Wish of a Lifetime. The piano in the accompanying picture is not an Anderson piano, but it is a piano.
By Connie Eshbach
