Milford Attic

MUSICAL NOTES

Hymn singing at the Plymouth Church changed so much for the congregation when its first melodeon organ was played there in 1849. This melodeon was originally purchased by James Shipman Tibbals (marked December 28, 1846) and is believed to have been the first in Milford. Later, it came into the hands of a Mrs. Mary Durand, who donated it to the Plymouth Church in June 1849. The melodeon’s last owner, Dr. Harvey Russell, donated it to the Milford Historical Society. The top and front of the piano-like case is embellished with mother-of-pearl inlay.

In front of the sheet music is a Peeler Metal Fife, a musical instrument with a simple design and a long history.

The tallest instrument standing on top of the melodeon is a M1892 field trumpet (bugle) on which all modern bugles are based. This horn is marked U.S. Regulation and was the standard in use in drum and bugle corps in World War I.

—Marilyn May

Photographer: Susan Carroll Dwyer