"Voice of Minneapolis"
The Great Kimball Organ

What about a future for “The Voice of Minneapolis”? When the Kimball was removed from the old Auditorium, the only reasonable public space into which the instrument could be accommodated was the new Convention Center. Chambers were designed and built there, and it is in those that the organ’s components are stored today.

Unfortunately, this was a compromise destination, understood at the time because, as in the old Auditorium, use of the organ (should it have been made to function) in the new Convention Center would continue to be extremely rare, limited by the many other uses to which the Convention Center space is put...which uses usually have no need for organs or organ music, no matter how entertaining.

That situation remains today, making it difficult to justify expenditure of the millions ($$) that would be necessary to bring the Kimball back to life. An ideal example of how such an instrument might function exists in the former Wanamaker Store (now Macy’s) in downtown Philadelphia, where a pipe organ nearly three times the size of the Minneapolis Kimball is kept in tip-top shape, plays 45-minute programs twice daily, every day, and is featured in many other special events throughout the year: <http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/>;

If we could find a similar sort of space in Minneapolis where a general public could experience the Kimball organ’s music without necessarily ‘going to an organ concert’...by simply being in the vicinity when the organ is played, and hear it sometimes almost by chance...then we could get going on a vision and the necessary fundraising to accomplish it. The Crystal Court downtown has that potential. Are there other options?
Michael Barone

Stoplist A comparison of the original design (1927) with what was actually installed.

Powerpoint History of the Minneapolis Kimball A history of the 'Voice of Minneapolis" in Powerpoint, prepared for a Pipe Organ Encounter by David Engen, presented by Michael Barone.

Picture Gallery (Paul Lohman) Pictures of the Kimball organ in storage at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Minneapolis Works to "Keep a Vital Organ Alive" Reprint of an article by David Engen that appeared in "The Tracker", 1987, Volume 3.  Information taken from the archives of both the Minneapolis Public Library and the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Original dedication program, 1928 Photo copy from the Minneapolis Public Library of the original dedication events.

Meet "The Voice of Minneapolis" Reprint of an article by Tim Stevens from "Hurdy Gurdy", Nov/Dec 1987.

Play the Organ Day Manuscript copy of an article by David Engen for "The American Organist" magazine, 1987.

"Farewell For Now" Concert Reprint of program from October 27, 1987 concert with the Minnesota Orchestra, conductor Jahja Ling, organist Hector Olivera.  Includes full stoplist.

Following a great deal of fund raising and concert activity in the late 1980's, the Steering Committee had the funds on hand to have the organ removed from the Auditorium and safely packed before the Minneapolis Auditorium was demolished to make room for the new Convention Center.  Space was provided in the Convention Center on the south wall above the loading area in the second dome from the west, and the organ is stored there.  A contract was given to an organ builder to restore the organ for approximately $185,000 which, in retrospect, was not nearly enough money.  At the time it should have been closer to $1 million, but the Steering Committee was overly optimistic about completing the project.  The blower (on 440v AC) was restored and installed, along with some open wind chests (no bottom boards) and pipes.  Some of the money was found to have been spent on another project.  Because this money came from a public trust fund, the City categorized it as fraud and pursued restitution under the law.  The organ has remained untouched and in storage within the Convention Center since then.  It can be seen in this location in the photo gallery through the link above.