EsteyFest ’24 in Brattleboro Vermont
September 26 through September 30, 2024

The Estey Organ Museum and Brattleboro Historical Society are joining the ROS to host the events for September 26-30, 2024.

Plans are underway for

· concerts, workshops, and talks.

· reed organs to play and time to re-connect with each other.

· a one-day visit to the Pease Collection of Historical Instruments—the world’s largest collection of reed organs.

A block of rooms has been reserved at The Comfort Inn and Suites, 1186 Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301. 802-579-1344

The rate for any room is $100/night, 2-night minimum. All rooms are non-smoking.

When calling to make a reservation, please indicate that it is with the EsteyFest 24 block. A reservation may be cancelled up to 30 days in advance to avoid a penalty charge of one room night.

Registration:

Registration is now open.

Ready to register? Click here to register online:

The deadline is Saturday, August 24, 2024.

If you prefer to download the form, print and mail it, Click here.

Questions?

If you would like to help with putting on this event or if you have any questions, please contact EsteyFest ’24 co-chairs below:

Schedule

Thursday, September 26

Welcome to Brattleboro! Come gather at Estey Organ Museum in the afternoon and early evening for registration and refreshments. Enjoy dinner on your own at a local restaurant.

Friday, September 27

Attendees can spend the day in Palmer, MA to explore The Pease Collection of Historical Instruments, make purchases, and enjoy lunch in nearby Monson at the First Church of Monson, Congregational, where their Wm Johnson & Son Opus 781 pipe organ will be available for listening and playing. Alternatively, members can remain in Brattleboro to explore the Estey Collection at the Brattleboro Historical Society (BHS) and the Estey Organ Museum (EOM) and media table in the Estey factory. Everyone will rejoin for dinner in Brattleboro at the American Legion Hall, and join in a Tin Pan Alley SingAlong with the Green Mountain Strummers.

Saturday, September 28

The Estey Organ Museum and Brattleboro Historical Society will be open in the morning. Members will want to hear morning talks at the American Legion: “Accordions as Free Reed Instruments“ by Mardy Eisloeffel, “The Music of KargElert” by Mark Herr, and “Estey v. Burdett Lawsuit“ by Craig Cowing. After lunch the Brattleboro Historical Society will feature a talk on “Estey in the Context of Brattleboro.” Other afternoon activities will take place in the Estey complex. Allen Myers will conduct a workshop, “Take Apart a Reed Organ” in the warehouse. Ned Phoenix will give two sessions of his spirited demonstrations of “How to Play All Types of Reed Organs” in the Estey Organ Museum. Members will then come together at the Legion Hall for the ROS membership meeting and banquet. The day will be capped off at Epsilon Spires with a showing of the silent film “Nosferatu” with chamber orchestra and reed organ accompaniment.

Sunday, September 29

There are many opportunities for morning worship. The Estey Organ Museum will be open for two workshops: “Bellows Restoration” by John Hastings and “Tuning” by Larry Claus. Lunch will be served in the social room at Epsilon Spires, where activities will take place for the rest of the day. In the early afternoon Artis Wodehouse will give a talk and reed organ recital. Members will gather for a group photo just before the mid-afternoon Festival Concert. After a break for dinner on your own, members will gather once more at Epsilon Spires for a mellowing “Musical Vespers”.

Monday, September 30

Jacob Estey was born 210 years ago on this day and will be honored with cake and refreshments at the museum. Late morning brings the opportunity to visit Ned Phoenix at his Phoenix Collection of Early American Reed Organs in Townshend, VT.

Event Locations

Estey Organ Museum Brick Engine House 108 Birge Street, in the rear Brattleboro, VT
Brattleboro Historical Society 3 rd Floor, Brattleboro Municipal Center 230 Main St Brattleboro, VT
American Legion Post 5 32 Linden Street Brattleboro, VT
Epsilon Spires 190 Main Street Brattleboro, VT
Phoenix Reed Organ Resurrection 593 Phoenix Way Townshend, VT
Pease Collections 1351 Main Street Palmer, MA
Monson Congregational Church 5 High Street Monson, MA