Carousel band organ will play on for decades to come
The Tuscarawas County Community Foundation has committed $16,000 and the Reeves Foundation has made a $12,000 grant to help fund the estimated $45,000 cost to completely renovate and restore the band organ.
With financial support coming from dozens of local individuals, businesses and foundations, Tuscora Park’s carousel band organ will play on for decades to come. The Rotary Club of New Philadelphia announced the successful completion of a campaign to raise the estimated $45,000 cost to completely renovate and restore the band organ.
“Whether it’s the band organ today, the Boardwalk Project two years ago or the carousel restoration a few years before that, our community loves Tuscora Park and gives generously to maintain and preserve it for future generations,” said JJ Boroski, president of the club. “With the money in hand, the band organ will go out late this year for a complete overhaul. It will come back better than new, ready to play again when the park begins the summer season in May.”
After decades of providing the soundtrack for those attending New Philadelphia’s Tuscora Park, the 90-year-old Wurlitzer band organ was showing its age, according to Rich Geib, a Rotary Club member who helped launch the project.
“It’s now to the point that a number of organ pipes no longer operate, and the overall sound has diminished in volume and in quality,” Geib said. “The decline in performance will grow worse as time goes on until a complete renovation is done.”
The club announced the fundraising project in August. Since then dozens of contributions have been received, ranging from $10-$1,000.
“Our largest gifts have come from two of our local foundations. The Tuscarawas County Community Foundation has committed $16,000 to the project, and the Reeves Foundation has made a $12,000 grant,” Boroski said. “We are thankful to all who contributed to the fundraising effort.”
Over the past several years, Charles Kegg of Kegg Pipe Organ Company in Hartville has provided minor, short-term repairs to the band organ. Geib said the band organ will be moved to Kegg’s shop after the Christmas in the Park event in December. The band organ will be tuned up and returned in time for the opening of the park in May 2019.
Throughout most of its 101 years, the Rotary Club of New Philadelphia has supported Tuscora Park with cash donations and volunteer labor. Since 1985 the Rotary Club, the first small town Rotary Club in America working through RTY Inc., has operated and maintained the park’s eight vintage amusement rides under contract with the city.
RTY also operates Tuscora Park Concessions and Catering and the Park Place Teen Center and stages the Summer Showcase Amphitheater concerts each summer. RTY is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and profits from operations are reinvested in Tuscora Park.
While the fundraising campaign for the band organ renovation is complete, Geib said the need for donations continues. “Any donated funds left over from this project will be used in the future. The band organ will need tuning from time to time, and like any antique machinery, it will require preventive maintenance in the coming years,” he said.
Donations to RTY Inc. for the preservation of the vintage amusement rides at Tuscora Park are always welcomed. The RTY mailing address is 161 Tuscora Ave. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
For more information email information@newphiladelphiarotary.com.