Things once treasured often fall into disrepair over time, and eventually disappear altogether if no one steps forward with a vision for the future and a passion to carry it through.
Similar to citizens who worked to save the Walnut Street Bridge and the Tivoli Theatre, both of which were at one point crumbling from decay and at risk of being demolished, local resident Evelyn Gibbs saw value in preserving the Austin pipe organ at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium for future generations of Chattanoogans.
Chattanooga Music Club President Beth Foster Long, left, presents Evelyn Gibbs with a plaque commemorating the establishment of the Evelyn Gibbs Performance Fund during Gibbs' 90th birthday celebration held March 13 at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga at Shallowford. Gibbs died less than a week later. / Staff photo by Emily CrismanBuilt in 1924, the organ was played from 1924-29 by then-famous organist Edwin Lemare, the highest paid performer of his time.
As chairwoman of the organ's restoration committee for the Chattanooga Music Club from 1985-2007, Gibbs worked tirelessly to raise funds to return the instrument to its former glory, along with traveling all over the country to gather hard-to-find parts.
The estimated value of the organ is around $4 million, said Jim Bailiff, a member of the club's organ committee.
The music club hosts free organ concerts at the auditorium twice a year, once around Independence Day with a patriotic theme, and again near the winter holidays. Guest organists are brought to town to perform, with donations offsetting the cost.
"We want everyone in the town to be able to come," Bailiff said of the concerts.
But as years have passed, so have many of the organ's supporters, and donations have dwindled as the shine of the freshly refurbished organ has worn off, he said.
In order to continue to hold the free concerts - for which attendees' donations no longer cover the costs - the club is establishing the Evelyn Gibbs Performance Fund, named in honor of the organ's greatest champion and music club member since 1962, said Bailiff.
Donations to the fund will go toward the guest performers, which typically charge around $3,500 to perform, plus an additional $2,000 for transportation and housing costs. Contributors to the fund will be recognized in the program at the next performance and can dedicate their donation to a person of their choice should they wish to honor a friend or family member.
Less than a week after learning of the fund's establishment, which was announced at her 90th birthday celebration at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga at Shallowford, Gibbs passed away. Although she had no children, she went knowing that the organ, a project which became her baby of sorts for decades, will serve as a lasting legacy.
Gibbs earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the University of Chattanooga, and was among the first to receive a music scholarship from the Chattanooga Music Club, which will award $14,000 in scholarship funds this year, according to club President Beth Foster Long.
Donations to the Evelyn Gibbs Performance Fund are tax-deductible and can be made by mail to Chattanooga Music Club, Attn. Evelyn Gibbs Performance Fund, P.O. Box 21572, Chattanooga, TN, 37424. An option to donate online will soon be available on the Chattanooga Music Club website: chattanoogamusicclub.org.
For more information, visit the website or email info@chattanoogamusicclub.org.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.