Ahhh, Pipe Organs. My favorite musical instrument.
Over the years I have experienced three different pipe organs set up in private homes. Talk about knocking a house off its foundation! Those 16-footers can vibrate a neighborhood into dust.
Seattle enjoys the Paramount Theatre, which has survived intact to be fully restored, including the original theatre organ. The organ was maintained for several decades by volunteers from the local Pipe Organ Preservation Society. Our Family and Friends have enjoyed the winter movie series there of original silent movies accompanied by the few surviving experts for such entertainment. They travel the Country playing for an increasing number of such venues. The original Phantom of the Opera was spectacular in that theatre!
Stories:
My mother was a concert pianist before my time, and I remember visiting Disneyland in the late 1950s. She met an old friend who was playing a pipe organ there, so she sat down and got to play it herself! Cool memories.
Last story:
When my then-13-year-old son and I were visiting the Salisbury Cathedral in SW England,
http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/
an incredible pre-steam (mentioned for this discussion board) Gothic Construction, we were sitting quietly in all the immensity of that Church when the Pipe Organ began playing. After several minutes my son leaned over to me and said: "Now I understand the historic power of the Church!" Smart kid...
So I'm pleased to hear that you are keeping another amazing instrument alive. Go for it!
Now if it were powered by steam... THAT would be one huge Calliopy!
~RN