Chamber Organ in Hepplewhite kidney-shaped case, flat top, with French feet. Cabinet made of mahogany veneers; secondary woods are curly maple, walnut, and pine. Figured mahogany veneers on case contrast with lighter colored wood inlay on top, sides, and front. Three wide strips of banding encircle case at lid, above doors, and at bottom above feet and apron.
Front section of lid is hinged, revealing keyboard of 32 ivory-plated keys and 22 sharp keys of ebonized poplar and fruitwood nosings At each end of keyboard are pierced wood grilles (for sound emission) with badly deteriorated fabric backing. Below keyboard lid is an inlaid lock escutcheon. Two front doors curve inward, recessing below keyboard section and creating a concavity for knee space. Inlaid lock escutcheon on right door.
Pine and leather bellows in good shape, some repair at hinged end. There are 17 loose pipes, apparently fallen out but intact. Fabric covering missing on back.
Conrad Doll was a cabinetmaker, organ builder and tunebook publisher as well as organist & schoolmaster for the First Reformed Church. Three extant organs by Doll are the 1807 organ in Chippendale case made for Peace Church near Camp Hill, Pa., and two chamber organs which are visually identical (One owned by Ray Brunner and the other by HCLC). Ours was deemed to have been built circa 1806 due to the Oct-Dec.1805 date of the newspaper lining of the bellows. See Notes!
Provenance
Likely built by Doll for his brother Joseph, a tunebook publisher in Harrisburg. The organ passed to Joseph's daughter Catherine Elizabeth Doll who married George Mish (1783-1851). Their son Dr. George F. Mish (1824-c.1919) married Ms. Smuller and they lived at 460 Union St., Middletown. The organ remained at the house, passing to son George Smuller Mish (1862-1939) & successive descendants until the house was sold in 1983. The furnishings went to auction, but the organ did not sell for lack of interest and was shoved under staircase. The Vreelands who purchased the house agreed to keep the organ, allowing it to be rescued and eventually sold to HCLC. It was restored to playing condition by R.J. Brunner and Co. (Ray & Ruth) of Silver Spring, Pa. in 1995-1996.
Originally in need of many repairs to case and interior musical works (see file for description). Restored to playing condition in 1995-1996 by Raymond & Ruth Brunner.
Foot piece later came unglued and is detached.
Object ID
P.85.09
Notes
In Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania's Daybook of J. Eichholtz on page 30 is an entry dated March 1, 1810 for John Wind: "To painting frontispiece" with a charge of 15. This is presumably for the one in LHO collection, or perhaps another.
An identical entry on page 20 for organmaker Conrad Doll dated May 19, 1809 lists "To painting a frontispiece" for the same charge of 15. (Copies of these pages in file P.86.3 for Eichholtz copper measure).
See: That Ingenious Business, Pa. German Organ Builders, Raymond J. Brunner, The Pa. German Society, 1990, pp. 158-161.
"A Conrad Doll Chamber Organ," The Tracker, Raymond J. Brunner, Vol. 25, No. 2, Winter 1981, pp. 16-19.
Research notes on Doll family genealogy. Also one-page article written for 1997 Exhibit label by Ruth Brunner.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
Open scroll work on rectangular music stand; elaborate lyre-shaped pedal support with two pedals. Three massive legs with ten-faceted tapered legs. Sides of keyboard area scrolled with foliate carving. Around bottom is rope-like molding.
Ames, Kenneth L [ed], 'Victorian Furniture: Essays from a Victorian Society Autumn Symposium', Victorian Society in America, 1982.
Height (in)
37.437
Length (in)
98.5
Width (in)
57
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-17
Condition Notes
adjusted' piano 5/16/1949
Last cleaning & tuning September 2006
Several strings are broken and the sound board no longer holds its tuning.
Object ID
W.1936.001.004
Notes
Jonas Chickering (1798-1853), whose firm made the piano, began his career as a cabinetmaker in Ipswich, New Hampshire. In 1818 at the age of twenty, he went to Boston and apprenticed himself in one of the town's cabinet shops.
Lancaster High School Orchestra All persons are listed according to the instrument they played. All selections performed during 3 year period and history of music department also on back of print. Persons listed are: First violins: Herbert G. Waitz, James T. Lane, John L. warfel, Raymond L. Myres, Herbert Smeltz, Anna H. Watt, Sarah Lutz, Irene Ranck, Marguerite Herr. Second Violins: Eugene W. Fickes, Morris Cohn, Wm. W. H--n,Chas. P. Weise, Charles Mehl, Frank J. Everts, Gertrude Leachy, Mabel W. Patterson, Amelia L. Aukamp, Nellie Hoopes, Anna Rorher, Agusta Cox. Violas: Eva H. Thorbahn, Walter H. Leaman,Michael Felser. Cello: J. Stuart Thorbahn Bass: Don W. Gorrecht Oboe: Albert C. Peterson Flute:A--- Mohring Piccolo: Karl Gorrecht Clarionets: Jennie Moring, Wm. F. Myers, Fred Z. Haldy, Walter K. Swords Cornets: William G. Trost, John W. Eckenrode, Winfred Daniels, Fred K. Freund French Horn: Clarence H. Smith Drums: William D. Bowers, George W. Banzhoff Piano: Cora Fisher Instructor and Leader: Prof. Carl Thobahn
A mechanical musical marvel, the orchestrian plays up to thirteen different instruments at one time, and is just part of the unique collection of operating automated musical instruments at Mill Bridge Village in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Village also features camping facilities, a working mill, covered bridge and craftsmen plus special summer musical weekends.
Provenance
Photographs and slides donated by Discover Lancaster/Pennsylvania Dutch Country Visitors Bureau, June 2016.
Notation on picture says: J.H. Balmer, F.R.G.S., England, and His Company. "Africa in Song and Story." Group of people with African Musical instruments in front of a fence.
