STRAWBERRIES FOR A PUMP ORGAN

Phoebe finds a way to get their girls a pump organ.

Henry  and Phoebe’s daughters helped to make and deliver butter, eggs, and vegetables to families in Warren.   These helped with the family expenses.   Quilts were an important part of every household.  Women in the city enjoyed choosing the patterns and colors for their creations, but they would pay for the  tedious task of piecing the different shapes and quilting the finished fabrics.  This was another way their girls helped with the family expenses, but by our standards the amount paid was very small.

Phoebe wanted her daughters to love music and enjoy the sound of a pump organ.  Not  many of the families in the county had one.   How would they be able to afford to buy an organ?   Phoebe was determined.  She worked many hours in the sun to grow strawberries to sell so they could buy one .  They finally had enough to buy an Estey organ made in Brattleboro, Vermont.  Estey Organ was founded by Jacob Estey in 1852.  

The Estey Organ Company is still in business today!

You can learn more about the Estey Organ by visiting  esteyorganmuseum.org.  The Estey Organ Museum is open to visitors on Saturday afternoons from 2-4 pm and by special arrangements.  Please check with this web site before planning a visit.  Items of interest regarding the Estey organs can also be found at the Brattleboro Historical Society.