The Wanamaker Organ
In 1911, John Wanamaker debuted a giant pipe organ in his Philadelphia department store. The instrument, which had been created for the St Louis World’s Fair, featured over 10,000 pipes and entertained visitors as they shopped. As the years past and the company went downhill, the organ fell into disrepair. Although it was deemed a National Historic Landmark, it was no longer able to play using all of its pipes. In 2005, Macy’s acquired the store and as part of their 150th anniversary celebration, they decided to restore the organ to its former glory. On September 27th the Wanamaker Organ was played to its full potential for the first time in 27 years. Visitors can see the organ in Macy’s Grand Court and hear it at one of the free concerts played daily Monday-Saturday.
