|
Virtual Tours
of Clermont, Iowa
The 1896 Kimball Pipe Organ is in urgent need of repair
and restoration. In order to raise funds for this project, Gemini
Productions has agreed to produce VHS and DVD tapes of the organ
concerts and accept only the cost of the VHS or DVD and the postage.
This production cost is $5.00. The rest of the profit from the sales
of the VHS and DVD’s will be donated to the 1896 Kimball Pipe Organ
Restoration Fund. We happily accept any additional contribution you
would like to make to this fund.
Click here to view the details of
our fundraiser.
|
For additional info on
the Union Sunday School, please contact:
Nadine
West Arline Davisson
Montauk Clermont Historical
Society
Ph: (563) 423-7173 Ph: (563) 423-5561
Email:
montauk@acegroup.cc
Right: Photo of Miss Anna Larrabee at the Kimball
Organ. She played the organ diligently every Sunday.
Miss Anna was a very accomplished musician, having trained at
the Juliards School of Music in New York City. |
 |
|
Read the history of the Union
Sunday School here. The Union Sunday School was
originally built as a Presbyterian Church in 1858. In the 1870s
it became non-denominational and renamed the Union Sunday School.
In 1896, Gov. and Mrs. Wm. Larrabee ordered a magnificent organ from
the Kimball Company in Chicago for the Union Sunday School. Now
completely restored and completely operational, it remains a showpiece
of the town. The pressed-tin ceiling is original to the
building. The drop lights were added after electricity was
installed in 1910.Walls and windows are very plain, typical of a New
England church. The divided sanctuary was used to separate the male
and the female congregation. The building is now the property of the Iowa State
Historical Society and is listed on the National Registry of Historic
Places. It is currently used for organ recitals and Christmas Vesper
Services.
See our calendar of events for scheduled organ recitals
and Vesper Services. |
The decorative pipes are original in color and size. |
   
Above:
The walnut case of the Kimball Pipe Organ measures 20 feet long, 11
feet deep and 7 1/2 feet high.
The pipes extend up to make a height of more than 16 feet. Encased
in a massive walnut cabinet the organ consists of two keyboards with
61 notes each and a flat pedal board of 30 notes and 27 sets of pipes.
The instrument had to be hand-pumped until 1910, when an electri
blower was installed. The organ can still be operated manually.
The organ action is tubular pneumatic. Far Right: Close up of a
free-standing altar. Before the organ came, the choir was in the space
where the altar is now. The choir loft was then moved to the
back of the church. |
  
Left:
Organ enthusiasts will note that the pedals are not curved as they are
in today's modern organs,
thus making the playing of this organ
difficult due to the wide stretch. Right: Details
of the keyboard, woodwork, and stops. |
This flag was flown over main street Clermont, Iowa in
1903 during the celebration of the last reunion of the Iowa Civil War
Soldiers Company C., the group that was formed at Upper Iowa University
during the Civil War. Captain Warner was instrumental in forming this
group and David B. Henderson was one of the soldiers. Many of
the Iowa Civil War Soldiers came from Fayette County and surrounding
areas.
It was in this building during a morning service in 1865, that a rider
appeared and announced the death of Abraham Lincoln.
Learn more
about Company C and the 2003 Grand Reunion Centennial
commemorating the 1903 event. |
Original kerosene lamp that was used prior to 1910, when electricity
came into the community. |
  
The Union Sunday School houses one of the first lending libraries west
of the Mississippi. The lending library was part of the Union
Sunday School where children and adults could check out books on
Sunday. One person in charge would write down the person's name
and the name of the book to be returned the following Sunday in good
condition. All of the books were donated by the Larrabee family. The collection includes fiction,
non-fiction, a collection of Shakespeare, and books typical of that
era highlighting stories with moral values. |
  
Purchased by the Larrabee family during a trip to the Middle East.
Depicts various locations of the Holy Land and the City of Jerusalem.
Map material is of linen. |
|
|
|
The Montauk Mansion, Union Sunday School, and Clermont Museum are
operated by the State Historical Society of Iowa.
This tour has been approved by the Iowa State Historical Society.
Photos taken by Renee Matt, Clermont, Iowa webmaster
www.clermontia.org
Copyright © 2001-present clermontia.org
All Rights Reserved
E-mail city office:
clermont@acegroup.cc
(To report technical problems with the website, please
email the webmaster)
|
Website Disclaimer: |
| This site provides links to other web sites. These may
include links to web sites operated by other government agencies,
nonprofit organizations and/or private businesses. Neither the City of
Clermont, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the City of Clermont
warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information
published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products,
or services linked to/from this system, and shall not be held liable for
any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness
of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not
current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from
this system does so at his or her or its own risk. |
|
|
[Home]
[Calendar of Events] [Online
Virtual Tours of Clermont]
[Businesses]
[Schools/Parks]
[Churches]
[Recreation] [Rec
Trail]
[Organizations] [Services]
[City Government]
[History]
[Clermont Map]
[Map of NE Iowa]
[Items for Sale]
[Contact Us]
[Clermont Police]
|
