What do the two Melodeons represent?
We had a Melodeon, so we made our own music!
There are two Pump Organs on display in here, but in all likelihood we [the Jillsons] had only one – the larger more ornate one would suit our style.
We operated the organ by alternately pressing on the foot pedals. [like a stair stepper]. These pumped air pressure into an air chamber. As we pressed a key, air could pass a thin metal reed, causing it to vibrate [think about the accordion]. Each reed would sound a clear note.
Our melodeon was more portable than a pipe organ, and far lighter than a pianoforte and less delicate than a harpsichord. The larger and more ornate cabinets could produce the full sound needed in church, and were fancy enough for a wealthy family parlor.
Several million free-reed organs and melodeons were produced between the 1850s and the 1920s,The Estee Organ Company of Brattleboro Vermont was a huge manufacturer for the Northeast. In Willimantic, the Home Organ Company, made this pump organ. And many family members would learn to play.
This feature is made possible by a grant from the Leo J. and Rose Pageau Trust.