Melodeon, West Cumberland, ca. 1850

Contributed by Maine Historical Society

Melodeon, West Cumberland, ca. 1850

Purchase a reproduction of this item on VintageMaineImages.com.

Description

Melodeons are keyboard instruments invented in Buffalo, New York in the 1830s. Similar to accordions, melodeons use reeds and airflow to create sounds, but the musician pumps the instrument by foot rather than using their arms.

Melodeons were popular with rural Maine congregations and for personal use in homes because they require little maintenance and are portable. The instruments are smaller and less expensive than pianos, yet they have a very loud and pleasing organ sound. Parishioners carried this fold-up melodeon to West Cumberland Methodist Church each Sunday where Evelina D. Morrill Montfort played it for the congregation.

View/Add Comments


About This Item

  • Title: Melodeon, West Cumberland, ca. 1850
  • Creator: Farley and Pearson
  • Creation Date: circa 1850
  • Subject Date: circa 1850
  • Location: West Cumberland, Cumberland County, ME
  • Media: Rosewood, Ivory, Leather, Cloth, Brass
  • Dimensions: 76.2 cm x 66 cm x 35.6 cm
  • Local Code: 2546-67
  • Object Type: Physical Object

Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

Other Keywords


For more information about this item, contact:

Maine Historical Society
485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website

Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.

How to cite content on this site


Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.