Organ at Methodist Church in Williamstown to be rededicated after restoration

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The historic Johnson organ at the First United Methodist Church, Williamstown, will be rededicated after a total restoration Sunday, April 16 at 3 p.m. with a concert featuring organists with close ties to the church. The celebration also coincides with the 125th anniversary of the organ, which was first heard at the church April 10, 1875. The restoration, in two phases, cost a total of $15,300 and was done by the Andover Organ Co. of Methuen. The organ has been recognized as an historical instrument by the Organ Historical Society. The concert will be followed by a gala reception in the Fellowship Hall. The renovation was accomplished with gifts by the Washburne family in memory of the Rev. Robert Hoosick Washburne, Dr. Robert Niles Washburne, Raymond Bentley Washburne and Dr. Robert Norman Washburne. The Rev. Robert H. Washburne was pastor from 1920 to 1923; his sons Robert Niles Washburne and Raymond Bentley Washburne pumped the organ as boys. “The restoration was only possible through generous donations,” said Hanne Booth, chairman of the music committee who has been closely involved with the project. Organists playing in the concert Sunday are Dwight D. Killam, Edwin I. Lawrence, Ellen Beebe, Robin Kibler, and Alan E. Carrick. Keith Kibler, bass-baritone, will be assisting artist. The church organist and choir director is Mary Beth Gowing. The instrument is Opus 447 by William A. Johnson of Westfield. Over the last half of the 19th century the Johnson Company build more than 800 pipe organs for churches. schools and residences, both in the United States and abroad, earning an international reputation for superior quality of tone and workmanship. William A. Johnson was entirely self-taught. Early in life, working at his trade as a stonemason, he became inspired by the mechanism and sound of an organ he was helping to install in Westfield’s Methodist Church, and so embarked on a lifetime career. So high were his standards of taste and craftsmanship that even today Johnson organs are renowned for their excellent workmanship, fine materials and superb voicing. The Johnson organ in First United Methodist Church, Williamstown, was provided largely through the generosity of Sumner Southworth, one of the principal benefactors of the church. Southworth, an active Methodist layman, was a leading businessman in Williamstown and served two terms as a representative to the Massachusetts General Court. In 1872, he purchased and gave to the Methodist Society the land on which the building stands. He also donated a large part of its cost and most of the cost of the organ, $1,000. The instrument was first heard in celebration of the Southworths’ 50th wedding anniversary on April 10, 1875. The organ exists today in virtually its original state, although in 1921 the old hand pump was retired in favor of an electric blower. The pump, however, is still attached and remains functional. During the summer of 1981, the Andover Organ Co. made extensive repairs to the main and pedal chests of the organ and completely rebuilt the pedal action. Additional repairs were done to the keyboard and action of the manual. The first phase cost $4,900. In the second phase, completed earlier this year, the pipes were removed, cleaned, leaks repaired, and toe boards and pallet leathers replaced. All pipes were regulated for proper speech and volume. The second phase cost $10,400. In addition, a new mechanical electric blower was installed last year for an additional $2,500. The Andover Organ Co. is known for its careful and authentic restoration of historic instruments and has served this one regularly for decades. The tone of the instrument today is now similar to that that worshippers heard in April, 1875.
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Vermont National Guard Members Depart From North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

About 50 people waved flags to the see the Guardsmen off on their bus. The members were staying in North Adams because of a lack of hotel rooms in Bennington, Vt.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents came together Friday to see some Vermont National Guard members off.
 
The American Legion Riders organized a send off for a group of 75 or so Guard members who were staying at Hotel Downstreet.
 
"We are going to escort them to the Bennington Armory," Riders President Mike Lewis said. "They are going to gear up there, and then I am not sure where they are going. I don’t even know if they are all going to the same place."
 
Fifty or so people met in the Hotel Downstreet parking lot to show their appreciation. They waved flags and held signs. A bagpiper was also present.
 
The Riders contacted the Fire Department who helped organize the send off. North Adams Police cruisers and Northern Berkshire EMS were also on site to help see the bus off.
 
Lewis said there was not enough rooms in Bennington for the National Guard members. He added because of the trend to use vacant hotel rooms as low-income housing, the group had to look toward North Adams.
 
It's not clear where these Guard were off to, but about 500 members of 3-172 Infantry Battalion were expected to go to the Middle East with U.S. Central Command. According to Vermont Digger, this deployment was scheduled prior to the strikes on Iran. 
 
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