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Austin Organ at Chicago Medinah Shrine
By Steve McCollum

Now that MMD is flowing again, I wanted to mention a piece of good
news:  The 5/90+ Austin organ in the Chicago Medinah Shrine building
is being saved, according to a story on TV channel 2 local news from
a week ago.

The story stated that this organ was installed in 1915.  To prevent
its demolition as the building is being converted to a retail store,
the Chicago City Council appropriated $200,000 to have it removed and
stored.  Anyone wishing to purchase it will have to refund the city's
investment.

I have heard this organ several times, and it is magnificent!  Years
ago, I got a tour of one of the pipe chambers, and noted that one of
the 64' pedal stops had stopped wooden pipes over a foot square at the
base, and mitered to fit at the ceiling!

Does anybody know if this instrument has been recorded, and if so,
on what label?  Thanks!

Steve McCollum



(Message sent Wed, 4 Apr 2001 09:09:53 -0500 , from time zone -0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Austin, Chicago, Medinah, Organ, Shrine