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Museums 301: Pump organs (photo diary) [1]

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Date: 2023-12-31

Music is an important part of being human and seems to be universal as some form of music is found in all cultures. Drums, rattles, and flutes seem to be the oldest musical instruments. During the nineteenth century, pump organs became popular for use in private homes and small churches.

The history of pump organs begins in the eighteenth century with the development of the free-reed organ. In 1840, the first pump organ, called a harmonium, was patented in 1840 and many similar instruments were quickly developed. In the American west, harmoniums reached the height of their popularity in the late nineteen and early twentieth centuries. The instruments were light and thus easily transported, and, in addition, they could stay in tune regardless of heat and humidity.

Shown below are some museum exhibits of pump organs.

Prosser Historical Museum, Prosser, Washington

Shoshone County Mining and Smelting Museum, Kellogg, Idaho

Quincy Valley Historical Society Museum, Quincy, Washington

Pioneer Village, Cashmere, Washington

Cashmere Museum, Cashmere, Washington

Ohio History Center, Columbus, Ohio

Ohio Village, Columbus, Ohio

LeMay Family Collections, Tacoma, Washington

Museum of Mental Health, Salem, Oregon

Lake Chelan Historical Society Museum, Chelan, Washington

The organ shown above was displayed in the Parlor diorama.

The Jason Lee House, Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, Oregon

The Jason Lee House, constructed in 1841, is the oldest frame structure still standing in the Pacific Northwest. In 1965, the structure was moved to the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem where it was used as a museum.

Boon House, Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, Oregon

The Boon House was constructed in 1847 and is believed to be the oldest single-family dwelling in Salem, Oregon. The first occupants were John D. Boon (1817-1864) and his family who had come to Oregon in a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail. The house was moved to its current location on the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem in 1972.

Methodist Parsonage, Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, Oregon

The Methodist Parsonage, constructed in 1841, was originally the living quarters for the missionaries involved with the Oregon Mission Manual Labor School that would be built on the present-day campus of Willamette University in Salem. In 1844, the mission was disbanded, and the building became the parsonage for the Methodist Church. Today the Parsonage is at the Willamette Heritage Center.

Shown above is a melodeon, also known as a cabinet organ or American organ.

According to the display:

“In the 1800s people looked to reading, artwork, storytelling, parlor games and playing musical instruments for an evening’s entertainment.”

Stevensville Historical Museum, Stevensville, Montana

History Museum, Hood River, Oregon

Shown above is a melodeon which was a common parlor instrument. Air suction on free reeds produced the sound. While it looks like a piano, it produces a sound like an organ.

Renton History Museum, Renton, Washington

Franklin County Historical Society and Museum, Pasco, Washington

Fort Dalles Museum, The Dalles, Oregon

Presby House Museum, Goldendale, Washington

Shown above is a Milwaukee Thiery Pump Organ.

East Benton County Historical Society and Museum, Kennewick, Washington

History Museum at Fort Missoula, Missoula, Montana

Nevada City Living History Museum, Nevada City, Montana

Shown above is the Butterfly Organ made by the B.A.B. Organ Co. about 1900.

Shown above is a Story and Clark Player Reed Organ made about 1905. This was originally intended for home use.

According to the display:

“Player reed organs were among the first instruments to use the new pneumatic systems and ‘piano rolls’ beginning in the 1890’s. This organ has an especially beautiful inlaid oak case and porcelain pulls.”

Wenatchee Valley Museum, Wenatchee, Washington

North Lincoln County Historical Museum, Lincoln City, Oregon

Deschutes Historical Museum, Bend, Oregon

Wasco County Historical Museum, The Dalles, Oregon

Miracle of America Museum, Polson, Montana

Cataldo Mission, Idaho

The Cataldo Mission was built by the Catholic Jesuits for the Coeur d’Alene Indians in 1850.

Organ music must have sounded strange to Indian ears.

World Museum of Mining, Butte, Montana

Powell County Museum, Deer Lodge, Montana

More museum exhibit comparisons

Museums 301: Medicines (photo diary)

Museums 301: Telephones (photo diary)

Museums 301: Washing machines (photo diary)

Museums 301: Bathrooms (photo diary)

Museums 301: Radios (photo diary)

Museums 401: Typewriters (photo diary)

Museums 401: Shoes (photo diary)

Museums 201: Forest fire lookouts (photo diary)

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