A Beloved Historical Artifact
by Zoë Kirsch
The Unitarian Church’s iconic Goodrich organ, built in 1831, is one of Nantucket's most treasured heirlooms. Impressively, the elegant instrument functions after one hundred and seventy-eight years, maintaining a cardinal presence at Church gatherings and ceremonies. It is one of just two Goodrich organs remaining operative in their original sites, as well as one of the largest organs ever built by William Goodrich.
The Bostonian craftsman, born in Templeton, Massachusetts in 1777, was renowned for his beautiful organs, which he started making at twenty-six. A long and illustrious career for William, sadly, would never come to pass, because he died abruptly in his early fifties. The Goodrich legacy was a few exquisite instruments and his organ-making pupils: William’s brother Ebenezer, the Hook brothers, and Thomas Appleton. Apprentices constructed an abundance of New England distributed organs. Eventually, an Appleton organ would grace Nantucket's Methodist Church; it’s still there today.
Goodrich made the Unitarian Church's organ on and for Nantucket; it authentically belongs to islanders past and present. Still, Nantucketers aren't the only ones who see the instrument's value. John Fesperman, Curator of Musical Instruments at the Smithsonian in New York City, has requested the organ be brought to him if the Church is ever unable to care for it.
As Marcia Hempel, Music Director of the Unitarian Church, Director of the Women's Chorus of Nantucket, and Church Organist (she has played the Goodrich for eighteen years) says, “Among historic organs, ours stands out for the beauty of its tone and the fine craftsmanship that went into its construction.” She notes the organ is unusually powerful, has a full pedal board, and boasts a clear, rare, refined tone.
Alarmingly, the musical gem has started to break down. It desperately needs restoration. “Wood, leather, and metal parts decay over time,” Hempel elaborates. “Water introduced by storms and accidents can further damage an organ. The Goodrich is tracker-action, meaning every key is connected to a linkage of slender, wooden parts, leather parts that open into boxes carrying the wind, and metal fittings that hold parts together. A tracker-action organ requires a skilled builder's delicate maintenance. The pipe work, too, will need attention.”
An antiquated, unique, highly valuable, well-exercised instrument is by no means cheap to repair. The projected cost of restoring the Goodrich organ is about $3600, and the undertaking is planned to start in the fall of 2009, just months away.
The Church invites you to hear the organ’s distinct tones for yourself. On August 7, 14, and 21, organist and church music director Marcia Hempel will play quarter hour concerts at 12:15 pm at the Unitarian Church, 11 Orange Street. Contributions to the South Church Preservation Organ Fund are welcome. You may submit a check either directly to the church or mailed to the SCPF Organ Fund, Box 248, Nantucket MA 02554. Kindly indicate your gift is for the organ.
