Inside the restored chests and reservoirs
Blacksburg Presbyterian project · October–November 2026
The project requires extensive releathering of much of the instrument's original leatherwork. It also includes replacing all leather gaskets and the wind valves that control the flow of wind to the pipes.
Toeboard with pipe showing in position
Toeboard action showing one installed and one disassembled
The images above show two of the fourteen toeboards of the two main chests. The first image shows a pipe in one of the toeholes. In the second image, a board is turned over with one of the two pouch rails still attached beside a second rail that has been disassembled.
Close view of pouch rail and pitman valves
Each pouch assembly consists of a leather disc — the valve that stops the wind from reaching the pipe — a felt disc, and a leather pouch made from very thin split sheepskin. There are 793 pouches of various sizes in the main chests.
Primary action board of Swell main chest
So-called primary actions control the individual notes of each chest, from low C to the top C, 61 notes per chest, matching the manual keyboards. Each note has a pneumatic and a valve assembly. The total number is 148.
The next stage will be the replacement of all chest magnets and wiring in preparation for the installation.
Part view of Swell stop action
There are 13 stops on the main chest and 26 primary stop actions, two for each stop.
Main wind reservoirs
The organ has two large wind reservoirs, or bellows. One is of special double-rise construction, with two sets of ribs on top of each other to give the reservoir top more travel. The other is a single-rise reservoir with one set of ribs.
Gussets of Main double-rise wind reservoir
The corners of the reservoirs are among the most critical areas because many elements come together there. The build-up of layers of leather can cause a problem if it is not done properly.
The three restored Pedal chests
The image above shows the three Pedal chests on their sides. They also contain note and primary actions, 96 in all. The action can be seen in the image below.
Internal Pedal chest action
The releathering and restoration were carried out by Columbia Organ Works in Columbia, PA, a company specializing in restoration work and fine organ-building leathers.
← Previous: A new Gemshorn Celeste 8' · About this project · Next: Preparing the Swell Scharff III →