Something magical happens when music becomes a big part in people’s lives, providing entertainment and soul-soothing sounds.

The Music room is dedicated to Edwin Petersen who gave music lessons in Greenville for many years. He also became interested in photography as a hobby and combined the two skills professionally, creating travelogues accompanied by his music. He is shown in the portrait above the organ.

The pump organ was formerly used at St. Thomas Danish Lutheran Church in Trufant which was built in 1902 and was one of the churches served by Rev. Ole Amble in his 54 years with various churches in the area.

The tabletop Gem Roller-Organ creates music by turning a crank which puts into motion a roller with pins on a wooden cylinder called a “cob”. It is similar to a music box, but with bellows to create the sound. It could make 20 different notes with the 330 pins on the cob. In 1902, Sears sold the organ for $3.25 and the cob for 18 cents each . (Pity the poor soul that had to turn the crank to make the music while others danced!)

In the left corner is a Cylinder Phonograph. They were created by Thomas Edison and used wax or celluloid cylinders to make sound when cranked. Some versions featured a horn to amplify the sound. A Columbia Grafanola plays round flat records with a needle. Sheet music of long ago enabled people to create music on many kinds of instruments.

Whether you are making music by winding, pumping, playing an instrument, or simply listening to recorded sounds, music is an art that has the power to unite, transpire and transform.