Geneva Eschweiler Theatre Pipe Organ
3/12 Wurlitzer |
A Center for the Arts

Plans for installing the current 3/12 Wurlitzer organ in A Center For the Arts, Fergus Falls, MN, materialized as early as 1992, when the theatre was undergoing a major restoration. Chamber layout drawings were completed in June 1993 and work began on the organ's installation. The console was purchased from Kansas City, KS, and the pipework was derived from various sources and instruments.
The installation was complete in August, 1994 and the organ was premiered to the public via a seminar/workshop on October 29, 1994. The Center's grand reopening took place in the fall of 1995.

The organ building and installation work was completed by Johnson Organ Company of Moorhead, MN. The firm's president, Lance E. Johnson, was a Fergus Falls native and member of the Red River Theatre Organ Society in Fargo, ND. Following its installation, the organ was dedicated in honor of Geneva (Stenger) Eschweiler (1926-2019) for her remarkable blend of professionalism, ambition, and energy during her 45-year musical career in Fergus Falls.

The organ's original size was 3/9, with an English Post Horn being added upon its installation at Fergus, making it a 3/10. Two more ranks were added later, namely the Krumet, and a second Tibia ("Tibia Minor"). The pipes are housed in two chambers; Main and Solo. The Tibia Minor (a revoiced church Gedeckt) was replaced with an authentic theatre organ Tibia rank in late 2024, and the Krumet (a converted church Rohrschalmei) was replaced with an authentic theatre organ Orchestral Oboe rank in early 2025.

Throughout the years, the organ has been used for many public performances including summer "brown bag lunch" concerts, Christmas concerts, Christmas variety shows, silent movies, master classes, seminars, open console, youth outreach events, and more. Famous guest artists of the instrument have included Bob Ralston (organist on Lawrence Welk Show), Jelani Eddington, Donna Parker, Ken Double, and others.

In early 1999, the Central Minnesota Otter Tail Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society was organized and granted Chapter Charter #100 from the American Theatre Organ Society. Throughout its existence, the Otter Tail Chapter worked with the Center to preserve the organ and promote its use until the chapter disbanded around 2020. During their existence, the chapter was very keen on bringing famous guest organists to Fergus Falls. They also held various community and youth outreach evens to promote the organ. The Otter Tail Chapter's work is not forgotten and its legacy lives on each time the organ is played.

In October, 2023, the Red River Theatre Organ Society adopted the organ as a "chapter instrument," meaning that RRTOS is now the local ATOS chapter affiliated with the organ. RRTOS members have performed at the Center many times throughout the years and several RRTOS members at one time belonged to the former Otter Tail Chapter.

RRTOS is thrilled at the wonderful opportunity to include this magnificent instrument in its programming and looks forward to keeping the theatre organ alive in the Fergus Falls Community.

Current House Organists of A Center for the Arts include: Bo Anderson, Alex Swanson, Alex Moe, Dylan Thiele, and Elliot Sander.

Tours of the organ are available upon request.
To set up a tour email president@rrtos.org or call 218-402-0667