The Wonderfully Noisey Gavioli Organ!

As we wandered Ringlingville on a lovely Summer morning a few weeks back, enjoying our tour guide's (Dave Salutos) commentary on the historic buildings, it wasn't until we moved to the Wagon Pavillion part of the tour when things really got LOUD!  It was GREAT!  

While we have missed everything about Circus World Museum during this COVID year, hearing the Gavioli organ fire up and assault our ear drums completely put us in a happy circus frame of mind.   

Oh, the Gavioli, she is a thing of joy and wonder.

 

The 1905 band organ was first loaned to Circus World Museum in 1992.  She has been restored a couple of times and is a staple in the wagon pavillion tour.  

While retaining the organs intricate system of pipes and valves (originally used like a player piano with cards containing holes which created the music), a customizable computer system was added.  The new system allows for songs to begin with a touch of a button.  During the recent themed show, numerous lively Beatles' songs blasted from the old organ.

Built in Paris and brought to the United States by the Berni Brothers (of the Gavioli & Co in NY).  It is thought the organ then traveled with the amusement ride builder, C. W. Parker.  Moving around the country with Parker's carnivals thru the 1920s.

After that excitement, she sat for decades.  In a barn.  In Kansas.  All alone.  

Rescued by the Royal American Shows railroad carnival in 1955, the Sedlmayr Family gave it love, had it restored, and proudly toured her until 1977.  At which point she was retired again.

To this day she is on loan to Circus World Museum from the Sedlmayr Family.  So thank you.

During the years of the Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee Wisconsin, she made the trip to the Parade Showgrounds.  Now she enjoys a HVAC/humidity controlled pavillion on Museum grounds.  

We love her.  She takes us to a happy and magical state of mind.  So take a Ringlingville walking tour (thru Oct), sit back, lean in, and wait for your ears to ring and your sternum to shake!  So worth the price of admission.