I have had a lot of people give opinions and advice on what should become of the organ. Some ideas are quite good, others interesting while still others are just not do-able.
LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR to any reader of this.
The organ NEEDS to stay here in Natchez. It is classified as an Historic Instrument, since it is all in its original state ( no alterations to any of the instrument, such as adding more ranks, or a new console), and is still in the town where it was installed, originally.
The organ NEEDS to be housed in a good environment, what could be classified as a "livable" environment. Controlled temperatures and humidity.Clean.
The organ NEEDS to be played for the enjoyment of ALL, whether that be citizens of Natchez or visitors.
I have spoken with the Historic Natchez Foundation folk. They are just as happy as can be that something from the Baker Grand has survived. They express interest. But, it stops there. They would like it, but they are concerned over how much space it would require.
In talking with a local architect, he tells me that the organ could be fitted into the City Auditorium. A little remodeling done, and there you have it.
So, here are the suggestions I have gotten:
The NAPAC Museum
The City auditorium
The theatre down at the Visitors Center
The Martin Performing Arts Center
The Ritz theatre ( impossible- it is just a shell: no roof)
The Clark Theatre ( someone already owns it, and it, too, is in bad shape)
Build a structure to house it and put on concerts
and a few others
Right now, my ONLY recourse is to install it inside my shop, and just quit woodworking while it is there. My shop doesn't have a/c climate control. It doesn't need to be in there, but my choices are few.
I DO plan on making the organ MOBILE. That is, all the cables would have connectors that would allow for disconnecting components and MOVING the organ to another location. It is primarily pipe chests,a xylophone, a harp, a set of chimes, a large reservoir/regulator, a smaller regulator, a couple of tremolo units, the console and the blower. Then you have the swell shades, and I am working on how to structure a transportable enclosure which the shutters would be mounted in.
BUT, IT NEEDS A GOOD HOME. A public home.
Any ideas or millionaire benefactors would certainly be welcome!
Just as soon as my powerball numbers hit...
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