This past Saturday, the heart of Center City saw a remarkable gathering as hundreds convened at Macy’s to honor the majestic Wanamaker Organ. The event, marking the department store's final weekend, featured a daylong concert that resonated with the sounds of this historic instrument. Esteemed organists, including the renowned John Wanamaker Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte, took to the keys, delivering a series of emotionally rich performances.
The concert, aptly named “Make a Joyful Noise,” offered performances every hour from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. As the powerful notes filled the air, the audience—seated amidst discount signs and remnants of shopping displays—was taken on an emotional journey. Many attendees found themselves overwhelmed with nostalgia, unable to hold back tears.
Among the crowd was Carol Jackson, who, despite undergoing weekly cancer treatment, felt compelled to join the celebration. “This whole little area is like a keepsake of your memories, and it’s going to be greatly missed,” she reflected, recalling her childhood visits to Wanamaker’s with her grandparents during the Christmas season. The emotional connection to the organ and the store was palpable, as Jackson described moments spent reminiscing with staff members who knew her family.
Another attendee, Stephanie Mokan, shared her own sentimental ties to the store. At 17, she purchased her first designer accessory there, a memory that remains vivid in her mind. “Every time I would go to City Hall, I would always walk through Macy’s, looking at everything,” she recalled. For Mokan and many others, the Christmas shows featuring the organ were highlights of their experiences at the store.
Pete Steffa, 75, who was present for one of the organ's first Christmas light shows in 1956, expressed a mix of nostalgia and hope. A member of the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, he spoke of the bittersweet nature of the farewell concert but anticipated the grand finale that promised to be an unforgettable experience. “I don’t know when I’ll hear it live again,” he admitted, highlighting the unique charm of experiencing the organ in person.
Constructed in 1904 for the St. Louis World Fair, the Wanamaker Organ holds the title of a National Historic Landmark and is known as the largest fully functioning organ in the world, boasting over 28,000 pipes. Many supporters remain hopeful that this iconic instrument will continue to resonate in the building's future, with Ray Biswanger, executive director of the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, expressing confidence in the new property owners’ commitment to preservation.
TF Cornerstone, the building's prospective owner, has indicated its dedication to maintaining the organ as an integral part of the space. Biswanger emphasized the shared goal of ensuring the organ continues to be played publicly, likening its sound to that of “three symphony orchestras.”
The turnout for Saturday’s concert was a powerful testament to the community's love for the Wanamaker Organ. Fans traveled from far and wide, including John Libertine, who journeyed from Boston. His family's annual visits to the Wanamaker Organ day have become a cherished tradition, highlighting the lasting impact of the organ on families and individuals alike.
Libertine reflected on the significance of the concert, stating, “This will be the last day we hear the instrument in the space that it was designed for.” His words resonated with many, capturing both the loss felt by the community and the hope for the organ's future.
As Macy’s prepares to conclude its nearly two-decade presence in the space, Steffa expressed deep gratitude for the store's stewardship of the organ. “Macy’s had been absolutely wonderful in their regard and their stewardship of it,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of the store's investment in maintaining the instrument.
In closing, Steffa voiced a sentiment shared by many: “This is a national treasure. This is a world treasure, and it’s got to be preserved and continued, and continue to be played for the public.” The future of the Wanamaker Organ remains uncertain, but its legacy will forever echo in the hearts of those who experienced its grandeur.
