Sounds of the Past to Brighten the Future

Designed and manufactured by German organ builder George Kilgen in 1935, the Kilgen Organ was originally used by WKY studios in Oklahoma City to accompany radio programs with dramaturgical music effects. With the rise of sound television in the late 1940s, the organ stood close to being discarded or shipped out of town and was only saved through a community effort led by Garman Kimmell, founder of Kimray Inc.

Kimmell was passionate that Oklahoma City not lose the organ, so following a brief stint at the American Organ Institute at the University of Oklahoma to undergo extensive reconstruction, he helped fund its safe transfer to the Oklahoma History Center, where it still resides today.

After Garman’s death, Kimray representatives partnered with other members of the Kimmel family to establish the Garman Kimmell Memorial Fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to ensure the organ’s maintenance in perpetuity.

Over the last two years, they have capitalized on Kirkpatrick Family Fund Endowment matching grant opportunities and other contributions to continue to grow the fund.

“With pipes speaking into the Devon Great Hall at the Oklahoma History Center, the WKY Kilgen is an outstanding example of the organ builder’s art,” said Dusty Miller, longtime contributor. “It is a tribute to all who participated in this project, and we are delighted to help make this endowment possible.”

To this day, the Kilgen Organ is used for musical performances and, thanks to the preservation efforts supported by donors like Dusty and Barbara Miller, visitors now have the opportunity to experience the historical sounds for years to come.

Dusty and Barbara Miller on a recent stop at the Oklahoma History Center, home to the WKY Kilgen Organ.