1885 Pipe Organ by maggiemae

1885 Pipe Organ

This organ was restored after a turbulent history and is now resident in the Oamaru Railway Station as one of the many art themed interests. It was the last pipe organ that Sir Robert Falcon Scott heard before he took off on his journey in 1910 to the Antarctic. It was set up in numerous churches over the years until Mr Ron Newton, an organ expert bought it in 1989. He stored it in the Lyttleton Museum near Christchurch. Of course, the earthquake affected this building and it was highly dangerous to go in. Eventually, a good idea came to light and the roof was removed from above, people lowered in who dismantled the organ and it was lifted out along with other treasures.

A short clip of what I heard is here taken by me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1qG8RWUY4U&feature=share&list=UUiQj1N0ZFUHOufUJ6_hTUeA
Beautiful sound to the pipes. With the introduction of electronic organs, you are beginning to see fewer and fewer of these.
February 8th, 2013  
Photos like this one, so rich in history is of the many reasons I love following you Mags.
February 8th, 2013  
Now that is so cool. I would like to here.
February 8th, 2013  
Love this!! Reminds me of when I was a kid and there was this big beautiful organ at church.
February 8th, 2013  
Wow - stunning!
February 8th, 2013  
What a great looking instrument.
February 8th, 2013  
Lovely old Organ, great shot Maggie.
February 8th, 2013  
One large thing to another!
February 8th, 2013  
Reminds me of our church which has a real organ - it can lift the roof depending on who's playing on a Sunday.
February 8th, 2013  
this is so very interesting.
my son's friend went on a journey in Europe to play as many old organs as he could. he is an organ major now in med school.
thanks for sharing this incredible story.
February 8th, 2013  
@glendq There were about 7 old organs in this small room! He would have loved it! They were mostly American organs.
February 8th, 2013  
I am so glad they were able to save the organ. What a creative way to do so. It is a fantastic shot, Maggiemae. My son is taking an organ class at University. He has taken piano for years, but is so enjoying this class.
February 8th, 2013  
what a tresure to be saved
February 8th, 2013  
I love happy endings Maggie, very interesting story. Lovely photo too.
February 8th, 2013  
Beautiful shot. I am glad that this pipe organ was saved. Pipe organs have sounds/tones like electric organs do not.
February 9th, 2013  
It is a stunning old organ.
February 9th, 2013  
what a beauty!
February 9th, 2013  
Great sound MaggieMae and a great tribute to this historic instrument.
February 9th, 2013  
Beautiful!!
February 9th, 2013  
What an incredible story and shot! Amazing :)
February 9th, 2013  
I love a good pipe organ! This one is lovely and I'm glad to see it is not only seen but heard!
February 10th, 2013  
This is another one I missed. What a fascinating story!
February 15th, 2013  
@wordpixman This is one of my favourites - everytime I see it on the thumbnail I open it to have another look!
February 15th, 2013  
This is truly a beauty ,Our Church( in Virginia) has a great Pipe organ . we were married there and the music was superb!!
March 6th, 2013  
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