It entertained Squamish's first pioneers and now, after 104 years, it's returned home.
Last week, Bianca Peters and her husband carefully transported precious cargo up Highway 99 from the Lower Mainland. Tucked in the back of the Squamish Historical Society president's truck was a reed organ. But this isn't any old instrument. These pipes have tales to tell.
"It belonged to the Judd family, a family key to the evolution of Brackendale and Squamish," Peters said.
The piece was purchased by Thomas and Nancy Judd in London, Ont., a few years before they moved to the West Coast in 1892. Three years earlier their son Harry, who was a surveyor, had ventured to Squamish, where he built a log cabin. He later built a larger home on his property, which was north of today's Judd Road, and convinced his parents, sister and brother to join him. They brought the reed organ with them.
"They threw it in a dug-out canoe to get it to the house," Peters said, noting at the time, there were no roads to Brackendale.
The yellow Judd house still stands on a portion of the former lot. The home was enlarged in 1909 and again the next year. It burned down in 1916, only to be rebuilt. The house served as somewhat of a night club, she joked, adding it became the community's social hangout.
In 1910, Thomas Judd died from a prostate problem. At that point his wife sold the farm and headed to Vancouver to live with her daughter. With her, she took the organ.
The instrument later fell into the hands of her great grandson, Phillip Judd. It hit the road again - this time to Victoria.
When Peters got the phone call from Phillip asking if the historical society wanted the organ, she was excited. It still works, she added, noting Phillip had continued to play it.
The organ is being stored at the Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG). Viewing can be arranged through the historical society. Peters hopes to find a musician to play the organ at the upcoming 2014 Squamish Culture and Heritage Festival. Organizers are hosting an information meeting on the festival on Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at the BAG. They invite anyone interested in volunteering. The community event runs from May 2 to 3 at Quest University.
For more information visit www.squamishhistory.ca.
