The legacy of Brattleboro’s Jacob Estey featured on local podcast “That’s One for the History Books”
In episode 47 of their podcast “That’s One for the History Books”, Springfield VT resident Marty Cohn and his colleague Hugh Ryan of Westerly, RI featured the remarkable life and legacy of Jacob Estey, a Brattleboro pioneer in the world of musical instruments.
Jacob Estey, born in 1814, was a visionary entrepreneur and inventor who revolutionized the music industry. Although his name may not be widely recognized today, his contributions are undeniable. Estey began his working life as a plumber’s apprentice at the age of 17 and, before the age of 35, was a partner in plumbing, lumber, slate, and marble businesses. Sensing a business opportunity, Estey took over a share of a small melodeon business in 1852 in Brattleboro, Vermont. A melodeon is a type of 19th-century reed organ.
In 1855, Jacob Estey and partner H. P. Green took over the company and manufactured what was marketed as the Perfect Melodeon. Jacob Estey became sole owner of the business in 1863 and introduced a line of Cottage Organs for homes and smaller churches. Specializing in reed organs, Estey transformed the small town of Brattleboro, Vermont, into a hub for musical instrument manufacturing. The “Estey Organ” became renowned for their superior sound and durability, captivating musicians and audiences alike, became synonymous with quality and craftsmanship.
What set Jacob Estey apart was his visionary approach to business. He implemented innovative marketing strategies, including the installment plan, making musical instruments accessible to a broader audience. Estey’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction laid the foundation for his company’s success. But Jacob Estey’s impact went beyond creating exceptional musical instruments. He had an unwavering dedication to his employees and community. Estey Organ Company was known for its fair treatment of workers, providing them with decent wages and implementing forward-thinking labor practices.
Jacob Estey’s commitment to social responsibility extended to the environment as well. He recognized the importance of sustainable practices long before it became a popular movement. Estey Organs were constructed using locally sourced materials, and the company implemented eco-friendly manufacturing processes—a truly remarkable feat for the time.
Estey’s influence extended beyond the world of organs. His company diversified into manufacturing pianos, melodeons, and, notably, the Estey Harmonium. These instruments found homes in churches, homes, and concert halls, contributing to the rich musical landscape of the time. Jacob Estey’s entrepreneurial spirit continued to drive him forward. In the late 19th century, as the popularity of pianos surged, he expanded his business to include piano production. Estey Pianos gained a reputation for their exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful tone, attracting musicians and enthusiasts worldwide.
Jacob Estey’s passion for innovation never waned. He continually sought ways to improve his instruments, experimenting with new designs and technologies. His relentless pursuit of excellence led to numerous patents, securing his place as a true pioneer in the music industry. By his death in 1890, the company had manufactured over 200,000 organs. The Estey legacy lives on, not only through the instruments but also in the community he built. Today, collectors and musicians alike cherish Estey instruments for their historical significance and exceptional craftsmanship.
Sadly, as time passed, the Estey Organ Company faced challenges in an evolving market, eventually closing its doors in 1960. However, Jacob Estey’s legacy lives on. His instruments can still be found in churches, concert halls, and private collections, cherished for their remarkable quality and historical significance.
Jacob Estey was recognized not only for business acumen but his commitment to the town of Brattleboro. Estey represented Brattleboro in the Vermont General Assembly and Windham County in the State Senate and was a founder and supporter of the First Baptist Church of Brattleboro. Among his philanthropic gifts, Jacob Estey was a benefactor of Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina – underwriting the first building in the U.S. intended specifically for the higher education of black women.
Jacob Estey’s profound impact on the music industry and his unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, social responsibility, and innovation make him a true trailblazer. His life is well documented in Manufacturing the Muse: Estey Organs and Consumer Culture in Victorian America by Dennis Waring.
Cohn and Ryan began the podcast last June. The first episode was about Vermont Senator Winston Prouty. Since then, the duo has covered a wide variety of subjects from American Revolution heroes to activists for social justice to medical pioneers. Inventors and innovators like George Crum, the creator of the potato chip and William Rosenberg, the founder of Dunkin Donuts, are a favorite category. New episodes are posted every Wednesday.
You can listen to the podcast by visiting https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/NqvvJc0XCJb.
A Remarkable Man
Jacob Estey was a truly remarkable man. Very few people today could accomplish what he did in his lifetime. Estey is arguably Brattleboro’s most favorite son. Thanks for the history lesson.
That's One for the History Books
I concur. Each week the podcast That’s One for the History Books profiles Americans who made important contributions to our country, but who have been largely overlooked by our history books. You can check them out by visiting https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martin-cohn5 or wherever you get your podcasts.
implementing forward-thinking labor practices
One of the items I enjoyed most while collecting things for the Estey Organ Museum (which everyone should go visit!) was early Estey insurance records.
All the employees would pay into a fund and then it would be paid out if workers were injured. What was most interesting was that they paid out whether the injury was on or off the job. Someone might get a few dollars for cutting their fingers on a saw at the factory, or get a few bucks because they injured their back picking berries on Wantastiquet.
Estey also had equal pay for equal work. There was a story of some male employees criticizing the reed-making work of female employees, so Estey switched up and sent the complainers a batch of male-made reeds. They complained as usual and Estey told them his trick – and that they were criticizing the work of other men now. The rumor goes that they stopped criticizing the reeds coming down the line to them after that.