Letters to the Editor

Convention Hall's organ a treasure worth saving

To the Editor:

I write to correct misinformation given in your article in the Dec. 2, 2004 issue of The Daily Pennsylvanian ("Health System unable to save Convention Hall in expansion.")

The pipe organ in the Philadelphia Convention Hall is not larger than the one in Irvine Auditorium and its removal has not been completed, nor is it assured preservation. The M. P. Msller Pipe Organ in Convention Hall, built in 1930, is the most significant concert instrument built by the largest organbuilding firm in American organbuilding history. The organ however, is about 2/3 the size of the Austin pipe organ in Irvine Auditorium (approximately. 6600 pipes vs. 10,731).

Its lesser size, however, does not diminish its important value to the pipe organ community and the theater organ community. The organ was built with two consoles on screw lifts with classical concert organ specifications and theater organ stops, as well as an automatic roll player which played the organ, changed stops and even controlled expression. It was 100 percent original and in 100 percent working condition.

With the enormous amounts of money the Penn Health System is spending, they bear a responsibility to see this organ protected, preserved and sent intact to a new home. Unfortunately, that is unlikely. The problem is, the instrument was tremendous in size and scope (its pipes were made in a very large proportion to fill that room with sound, which it did admirably). In fact, it will be very difficult to find a new home for this instrument, and the world will likely never hear it again. You can be sure that it was played at Franklin Roosevelt's nomination at the Democratic Convention of 1936!

It is sad that this "study" claiming that removable seats support the roof didn't pay closer attention to the several sub-basement levels in the building, easily convertible to parking, and with at least three stories below the floor, it is unlikely that the radiology equipment could possibly be larger than equipment that has been in the building before, both for movies and otherwise. It is also sad that the stealth surrounding this project kept the information from the public until it was too late to react to it.

I am disappointed and disturbed by this turn of events. It does not demonstrate much care for anything but profiteering in my opinion.

Paul Marcesano

The writer is an administrative assistant in the Department of Chemistry and a member of the American Institute of Organbuilders

Be a good neighbor

To the Editor:

The University of Pennsylvania has acted in a secretive and irresponsible manner with regards to the demolition of Convention Hall. It is a widely held view among Philadelphia residents that Penn promised to preserve this wonderful historical structure when it was acquired years ago.

Penn is a private institution with a very public responsibility. In fact, public service has long been one of the hallmarks of Penn that has it made it a great school. Penn should openly share plans with community members concerned about the loss of an important piece of Philadelphia heritage. Commencing demolition activities without such a process is disrespectful and underhanded.

The relationship between Penn and the community must be one that is mutually beneficial and firmly rooted in trust. Actions such as the unpublicized destruction of a wonderful piece of Philadelphia history undermine the many wonderful efforts to make Penn a good neighbor and erode the trust that many are working so hard to strengthen.

Danny Gerber, College '96

The writer is Co-Director of the Urban Nutrition Initiative

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