AltWeeklies Wire
Celebrating a piece of American historynew
This year, the Worcester Organ celebrates its 150 anniversary since its first installation at Mechanics Hall. In celebration of this event, 2014 has been dubbed the Year of the Organ, with several organ concerts being held throughout the year in conjunction with the organ’s $85,000 refurbishment in 2013.
The Worcester Organ, also known as the Hook Organ, was first installed in 1864 by brothers Elias and George Hook, who arrived in Boston shortly before being hired. It is a 52-stop, 3,504-pipe tracker organ, meaning that the keys and valves are connected mechanically, rather than electrically, similar to how a manual typewriter’s keys are linked. The organ is notable for being the largest and oldest four-keyboard tracker organ in the Western Hemisphere that still remains at its installation site.
Worcester Magazine |
Chelsey Pan |
05-15-2014 |
History
