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12

Dutch Street Organ

Orange City’s 113-year-old Dutch street organ has 67 keys, 288 pipes, drums and registers for harmony, melody, accompaniment and bass that create unforgettable music at Stadscentrum. It’s one of very few still in working condition.

Time

Plays daily at 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Location

Stadscentrum

Cost

Free

Dutch Street Organ History

Since the 1950s, this organ has been in the possession of the Friends of the Festival Foundation to be used during Tulip Festival and other occasions during the year.

This unusual instrument was built by Charles Marenghi of Paris, France. It was originally constructed as a dance organ of 79 keys in 1909. Dance organs eventually fell out of fashion and this instrument was converted to a street organ by the firm of Jacques Minning of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. It was reduced in size to the present 67-key configuration.

The three figures in the front were added as well. This street organ was shipped to Philadelphia in 1950 to provide entertainment for the Netherlands Trade Fair. Harry Van Pelt, a professional actor from the Netherlands, learned that this organ was going to be disposed of due to the cost of shipping. He contacted the Orange City Chamber of Commerce, and within two hours a check was on its way to Philadelphia. At the time, this was only the second-known Dutch street organ in the United States.

After several years of use, this organ was completely restored by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders of Lake City, Iowa, in 2012. It was torn down to the bottom and completely rebuilt. The restoration included a brand new cart and new wheels made by an Amish wheelwright from Ohio. The figurines on the front were also completely restored to their original design by a professional from Texas.

The organ functions today with the use of an electric motor attached to the flywheel. Originally, the organ was run by hand. Once the flywheel is energized with two different belts, it will keep air blowing from the bellows through the whole system. The books that come through the key frame are punched so each note sounds at the appropriate time and provides the music you hear.

More Events and Attractions

All 29 /May 17 - Wed 4 /May 18 - Thu 22 /May 19 - Fri 23 /May 20 - Sat 27 /May 21 - Sun 2

Carnival

Tulip Talk in Windmill Park

ArtBurst

Fly-In Breakfast

Street Scrubbing

Straat Feest

Antique Tractor Show

ped

Fietsen Zangers

Community Worship Service

Horse-Drawn Trolley Tours

Dutch American Heritage Museum

Century Home

Wooden Shoe Carving

Craft Show

Dutch Dozen

Stadscentrum

Petting Zoo

Pedicabs

Private Guided Tour Dutch Heritage Museum

Tour de Tulips Bike Ride

Windmill Park

Cruise-In Car Show

Night Show

Vogel Old Mill

Drum Line Performances

Children’s Art Exhibit

The Volksparade

Dutch Street Organ

Tulip Festival Road Race

Plan Your Visit

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Visit Us May 18-20, 2023

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Latest News

  • 2023 Tulip Festival ExtravaganzaJanuary 25, 2023 - 11:34 am
  • Register to watch the Queens Crowning Live Stream & Vote for the 2023 Tulip QueenNovember 15, 2022 - 10:40 am

Contact Us

509 8th St SE
Orange City, IA 51041

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