Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Portland, Maine (USA): Kotzschmar Organ

 

The City Hall in Portland Maine was built in 1912, after a previous building burned. Shortly thereafter a local publisher donated funds to have an organ installed in a public auditorium which was part of the city hall building. Kotzschmar was the surname of a music teacher and organist highly esteemed by the  donor. The organ was built by the Austin firm. Renovation work was begun on the organ in 2012 and completed in 2014. A supporting society helps maintain the organ now and increase awareness of the unique nature of the instrument. That society also assists in procuring a "municipal organist." My card is in color and includes the caption, "9: The Herman Kotzschmar Memorial Organ, City Hall, Portland, Me." The "9" doubtless refers to the card's place in a sequence of cards. The is a number in the lower right corner, 7907, about which I know nothing. It seems to be part of the printing, not a handwriting annotation. My card is used, with a common 2c Washington stamp paying postage from Portland to Providence, RI. It was published by the Eastern News Company, Portland, ME. 


 

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