Tannenberg Organ Concert Series

This magnificent organ was built by David Tannenberg (1728-1804), a Pennsylvania German organ maker from Lititz, Lancaster County. The organ was commissioned by Christ Lutheran Church of York. During installation of the organ, Tannenberg tragically had a stroke, fell from the scaffolding, and died shortly after. The installation was completed, and the organ was first played at his funeral.

In 1945 Christ Lutheran Church donated the organ to the Historical Society of York County. It was restored and installed in the Historical Society on East Market Street in 1959 and featured in community concerts for many decades. As part of the plan to move to a new facility on North Pershing Avenue, the York County History Center launched a donation campaign to raise funds to restore the organ to its original condition. Brunner & Associates was hired, dissembled the organ, and moved it to their shop in Lancaster in 2022. After two and a half years of detailed restoration work, the Tannenberg Organ was installed in the History Center third-floor multipurpose room in March 2025.

Upcoming concerts, please note musical selection and biographical information will be shared shortly.

July 30, 1 pm at the History Center Museum with organist Richard Frey- Register Here

August 1, 6 pm at the History Center Museum with Dr. Cameron Wentz for First Friday- Register Here

New contributions to the Tannenberg Organ Fund will help to cover the continual care and maintenance of the organ. Thank you for keeping the music playing at the History Center!

Brunner & Associates began the work of restoring the Tannenberg in September of 2022. Here’s a short video about that process, along with some details on the history of the Tannenberg. Thanks to Hayman Creative Studio for their work on producing the video.