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Iconic Massey Memorial Organ Ready For Season

P-J file photo by Jordan W. Patterson

CHAUTAUQUA — After an internal fire put Chautauqua Institution’s Massey Memorial Organ out of commission last year, concerns grew regarding the extent of the damage. Now eight months later, the 1907 organ is ready to go for the upcoming 2019 season.

Last August, a fire occurred inside the instrument as the result of a electrical issue inside the organ’s inner console. The fire, the size of a small candle, was noticed and quickly doused by a fire extinguisher.

While John Shedd, vice president of campus planning and operations, said proper actions were taken to extinguish the fire, the preventive measures also caused unintended damage to the organ. Fluid residue from the fire extinguisher sprayed onto other parts of the organ not on fire including the keyboard and the outside wooden finish.

“Everything had to be taken apart and cleaned,” Shedd said. “It was the right response, but it just did some damage.”

Repairs to the organ’s inner electrical system, keyboard, the wooden exterior and other areas of need took place during the offseason. The organ was returned in late April when testing began.

“When you look at this thing you think it’s old, but when you look inside of it it’s very complex and very modern as far as all of the computer components inside,” Shedd said.

The organ was donated by the Massey family from Toronto. A street inside Chautauqua grounds, Massey Avenue, is also named after the family. The Warren Church Organ Company based in Ontario originally crafted the organ.

Prior to the fire last year, repairs were conducted ahead of the 2018 season after water, built up from the winter, dripped onto the organ causing damage. The most recent repairs cost Chautauqua Institution about $60,000.

Shedd and Jordan Steves, director of strategic communications and community relations, believed both incidents were flukes and neither expect any further issues in the future.

“We did water, we’ve done fire so we think that we’re good,” Steves said of the recent damage.

Paul and Mark Fischer Organ Company restored the organ in 1993 and inspected it after the fire. Organ Supply Incorporated handled the repairs and restoration this time around.

As to why the Institution has gone to such great lengths to continue to restore the donated organ, Shedd said it has become part of the environment and attracts people to the grounds by its mere presence.

“It’s handmade. This is a custom unit. There isn’t another one like it in the world,” Shedd said.

Jared Jacobsen, Chautauqua’s organist, will officially welcome back the organ on June 23 with the first religious service being held for the season.

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