First Parish In Bedford

First Parish in Bedford will celebrate the restoration of its historic 1885 Hook &amp; Hastings tracker organ with a special Gala Concert and reception on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Hosted by the First Parish Music Committee and Capital Campaign Committee, the afternoon will feature First Parish organist Sandra LaBarge-Neumann, joined by distinguished guest organists Heinrich Christensen and David Carrier, two of the Boston area’s most respected performers.
Built in 1885 and acquired by First Parish in 1898, the organ has been part of the musical life of the congregation for more than 125 years. Its intricate mechanical system reflects the craftsmanship of 19th-century organ building: with the exception of the electric motor that supplies air to the wind chests, the instrument operates mechanically through an elaborate system of levers, rods and slides connecting the keyboard to its ranks of pipes.
The organ underwent its last comparable overhaul in 1970. This summer, specialists from the Andover Organ Company dismantled much of the instrument and removed its wind chests and other components for reconstruction. The project addressed problems that had begun appearing in the aging instrument, including air leakage and occasional “cyphers” — notes that continue to sound after a key has been released.
The $53,100 refurbishment was funded through First Parish’s recent $1.7 million capital campaign and is expected to give the historic instrument many more decades of service.
The restoration also uncovered a small piece of First Parish history. Removing the organ pipes exposed part of the sanctuary wall normally hidden from view and revealed an inscription that had not been seen in more than half a century: “Meeting House Erected 1816.”
The October 4 concert will give the wider community an opportunity to hear the renewed instrument in the hands of three accomplished organists and to celebrate the preservation of an important part of First Parish’s musical heritage.
A reception will follow the concert.
The community is warmly invited to attend this festive afternoon of music and celebration

Local Event: Organ Gala Concert

Middlesex County

Bedford

Massachusetts

Organ Gala Concert

First Parish in Bedford will celebrate the restoration of its historic 1885 Hook & Hastings tracker organ with a special Gala...

Mike Boczenowski

Chris Rhatigan

Boston Metropolitan Area

Chris Rhatigan 

Burlington

Lexington

Concord

Woburn

Wilmington

Benjamin Pierce

Winchester

William Hall

Waltham

Arlington

Acton

Chelmsford

Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History

Join NobleSpirit at the Spellman Museum for a special Appraisal Roadshow and discover the stories — and potential value — behind the items you’ve collected, inherited, or tucked away over the years.
Guests are invited to bring a wide variety of collectibles and historical material for evaluation, including stamps, coins, paper money, gold &amp; silver jewelry, space &amp; aerospace memorabilia, vintage technology and computing, signed material and autographs, cryptology and code-related artifacts, pop culture collectibles, and historical artifacts.
Whether you’ve inherited a collection, are downsizing, settling an estate, or simply want to learn more about an unusual item, our specialists will be available to help identify, evaluate, and provide insight into what you have.
There is no obligation to sell. For items or collections that may be a good fit for the marketplace, information will also be available about consignment opportunities and upcoming live auctions.
Bring your albums, boxes, collections, documents, memorabilia, and curiosities — you may be surprised by what you have.
Saturday, October 3
10am - 4pm 
Spellman Museum of Stamps &amp; Postal History 
Weston, Massachusetts Reserve your appointment today at:
<a href="https://www.noblespirit.com/roadshow" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">noblespirit.com/roadshow</a>

Local Event: Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal Day at the Spellman Museum

Weston

Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal...

Join NobleSpirit at the Spellman Museum for a special Appraisal Roadshow and discover the stories — and potential value —...

Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal Day at the Spellman Museum

Participating Farms in Pepperell

Experience the beauty of local agriculture at this annual community celebration featuring free admission for all. Visit the website to find participating farms and enjoy a day filled with pumpkins and apple picking, scavenger hunt, hay rides, pony rides, free samples, farm tours.

Local Event: Annual Pepperell Open Farm Day

Westford

Annual Pepperell Open Farm Day

Experience the beauty of local agriculture at this annual community celebration featuring free admission for all. Visit the...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Mike Boczenowski, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Organ Gala Concert

OCT

4

3:00 PM

First Parish In Bedford, 75 Great Rd, Bedford, MA

Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal Day at the Spellman Museum

Annual Pepperell Open Farm Day