Pipe Organ Database

Updated through online information from Dr. Donna Story, PhD. -- The 1896 Kimball organ in Clermont, Iowa was restored by the Dobson Organ Builders in 2010.

Updated through online information from Richard C Greene. -- Information from Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd: --

This instrument is the largest remaining unaltered tubular-pneumatic organ built by W.W. Kimball. A restoration was undertaken in 1979-80 by the Hendrickson Organ Co. of St. Peter, Minnesota, with Barry Lund and Kenneth Acrea performing most of the work. Major aspects of the restoration include complete releathering and the revision of the wind system to properly accommodate the electric blower added in 1910. Complete details can be found in an article written by Acrea for the Fall 1981 issue of The Tracker.

The original Kimball windchest design employed valves that were riveted to their pneumatic motors, which made proper seating difficult. In the restoration, the rivets were replaced with screws to permit the valves to seat more securely. Unfortunately, these screws were unplated and have rusted, and have now become as rigidly attached to the motors as the rivets whose faults they were to eliminate.

Restorative repairs include the replacement of the unplated screws with plated ones, the rebushing of the manual and pedal keyboards, a thorough cleaning, and the repair of damage to pipework from cone tuning.

Updated through on-line information from Stephen Hall. -- Based on the photos, the organ has seven composition pedals above the pedal board, the couplers are activated by drawknobs above the swell manual. The console is located on the left side of the case, and there are stenciled facade pipes on the sides as well as the front of the case. The organ is in regular use for concerts. The organ was renovated by 1979 by Hendrickson Organ Co. It has been outfitted with an electric blower circa 1910, but retains its orginal handoperated bellows. (information from city of Clermont website, and an online article in "The Newspapers of Fayette County" dated August 19, 2009. According to the article, the organ is to be removed in September 2009 and sent to Dobson Organ Company for restoration, and returned in Spring of 2010.)

Updated through on-line information from Jerome Thompson. -- I am the Historic Sites Administrator, State Historical Society of Iowa. A grant to conserve the organ was received through Save America's Treasures. Funding to match the grant is among the Governor's budget recommendations for the next fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008. Legislative support for the matching funds is strong, which is optimistic.

Updated through on-line information from Jerome L. Thompson. -- I am State Curator and Historic Sites Administrator with the State Historical Society of Iowa, which owns and manages this historic site. We have a proposal from Dobson Organ Company to conserve this organ. ... Funding for the work was requested in the agency budget request for capital repairs. The request was not recommended in the Governor's budget, but since the state legislature has not finished its work for the year, there is hope that the necessary funding will be appropriated.

Status Note: There 1996

Restored Hendrickson 1978. Owned by State of Iowa, Historical Trust. Historic Organ Recital 26 Apr 1987.