Assembly Resolution No. 533

BY: M. of A. Woerner

COMMENDING the Round Lake Davis-Ferris Organ upon
the occasion of its designation as a National
Historic Landmark

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to support the
preservation and commemoration of historical landmarks which express and
preserve the social and cultural origins of this great State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Round Lake Davis-Ferris Organ upon the occasion of its
designation as a National Historic Landmark to be celebrated at an event
on Saturday, June 10, 2017, at the Round Lake Auditorium, in Round Lake,
New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion includes a hands-on program for
children, tours inside the organ, and an informational exhibit about the
historic Village of Round Lake; throughout the day, renowned organists
will demonstrate a range of beautiful music on this massive 170 year-old
instrument; and

WHEREAS, Recently, the Davis-Ferris Organ in the Round Lake
Auditorium has been designated a National Historic Landmark, believed to
be the first such honor for any organ in North America; and

WHEREAS, The organ is one of 24 new selections of historic
properties deemed to be of exceptional value to the nation, ensuring
future generations have the ability to learn from the past as we
preserve and protect the historic value of these properties; and

WHEREAS, In 1868, Round Lake was founded as a "camp meeting" town,
with as many as 20,000 people gathering to hear rousing summer sermons;
by the late 1800s, the town evolved into a Chautauqua-styled educational
resort, complete with hotels, museums, and lecture halls; and

WHEREAS, Round Lake's literal and figurative center was the Round
Lake Auditorium; from a rough platform in a tree grove, it grew to an
open-sided building with canvas flaps, and, in 1912, to the
glass-enclosed pavilion we see today; after falling into ruin by the
1950s, and nearly bulldozed, the Auditorium is now lovingly restored
with modern amenities, creating a cultural venue of rustic architectural
beauty; the Auditorium is one of 53 sites to receive a Save America's
Treasures grant; and

WHEREAS, The Auditorium's crown jewel is a Gothic Revival-cased
Tracker organ; built in 1847, by a New York organ-building partnership
known as Davis & Ferris, it was the second largest organ in New York
City, and is now the oldest, largest and unaltered of its kind in the
United States; and

WHEREAS, The organ was relocated in 1888 to the Round Lake
Auditorium by Giles Beach, an organbuilder from Gloversville, New York;
and

WHEREAS, The tracker system has been in existence for over 600 years
and is one of the earliest All-American built organs; its beautiful
sound is produced by the use of zinc and wooden pipes which cannot be
reproduced electronically; the pipes are designed to duplicate other
musical instruments and to substitute for a symphony orchestra; and

WHEREAS, Some of the organ's pipes are large enough for a small
child to crawl through and some small enough to be a child's whistle;
thin ribbon-like wooden trackers connect the parts, while an electric
blower provides the wind power to make the sound; and

WHEREAS, A Ferris Tracker Organ concert at Round Lake Auditorium is
more than a concert, it is a chance to visit the past in sight and
music; the sounds are enhanced by the artistry of the player, bringing
the audience a variety of styles, including folk, classical, popular,
and symphonic music, normally not associated with organ music; and

WHEREAS, While the instrument has had mechanical changes, virtually
all of the sounding portions of the instrument are intact, providing us
a living record of what a large urban organ of the time sounded like to
its original listeners; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the Round Lake Davis-Ferris Organ's rich
history and enduring contribution to the heritage of the State of New
York, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to join in the
celebration of its designation as a National Historic Landmark so that
present and future generations may come to appreciate the unique
significance which its history plays in the progression of our State and
Nation's evolution; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Round Lake Davis-Ferris Organ upon the occasion of its
designation as a National Historic Landmark; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Village of Round Lake.