125-year-old piano finds new life after 40 years
19th-century piano played again after 40 years
VICTORIA — An old piano that has spent the last four decades gathering dust at the Victoria Playhouse has found a new home at the old Victoria school.
“It’s been an integral part of the cultural heritage of this building for a hundred years. That kind of connection needs to be maintained, respected, honoured,” said Brenda Boudreau, president of the Victoria Historical Association.
She, among others in the association, spearheaded the piano’s revival after it came into their possession last summer.
During cleanup at the playhouse, the abandoned antique was offered to anyone in the community who wanted it.
Boudreau doesn’t play; still, the piano struck a chord with her.
“It brought life into everything that happened there,” said Boudreau, noting that the piano would have bookended every event with O Canada and God Save the Queen.
“The piano was a part of all that life ... When you look at that piano, that’s what you can see and remember.”
STEP INTO THE PAST
As is naturally the case with many old artifacts, the 125-year-old Hardman upright carries a grand history.
As far as Boudreau and the historical association can tell, the piano’s origins in Victoria began in 1926.
Boudreau said the Women’s Institute had first purchased it from Miller Bros Music Store in Charlottetown to the tune of $254 — roughly $3,832.30 today, according to www. in2013dollars.com.
What happened to the piano between its creation and its arrival in Victoria, though, remains a mystery. From what Boudreau can tell, it had never been displaced from its home at the Victoria Playhouse.
Sylvia Ridgway, born in 1937, grew up during the piano’s glory days. She has childhood memories of gathering around it, her teacher seated at the keys, to practice for music festivals.
She recalls concerts, where the piano accompanied costumed performances.
“I remember being a glowworm, once ... and dancing around,” she laughs.
Ridgway said the piano holds sentimental value not just for her but everyone in the community — especially those who deemed the piano significant enough to take the time to carve their names in the back.
Although Ridgway is glad the piano has found its voice again, she’s more surprised it was found at all.
“Everybody just forgot about it, really.”
As far as anyone in the historic society can tell, the piano had been sitting idle in the back of the hall for the last 40 years. At best, it’s been tuned and played maybe once in that time.
Neither Boudreau nor anyone she’s asked knows whose fingers last danced among the ivories before its revival.
“People just didn’t think it was worth anything anymore,” said Ridgway. “But it actually sounds quite beautiful, really.”
PLAYING ON
When the historical society acquired the piano in June 2020, they didn’t know if it was salvageable.
Boudreau recruited Island piano player and restorer Max Keenlyside to examine the instrument.
“He was quite excited,” said Boudreau. “He came and looked at it. And right away, as soon as he tinkered with it, said it’s definitely got potential.”
Keenlyside, said Boudreau, spent a few sessions working on the piano. By early fall, it was as good as new and ready to liven up the community once again.
A few people in the village had come by to tinker with the restored piano, after, but it wasn’t until Victoria Day that it premiered at the old school for all to hear.
Keenlyside, as well as fellow musician Megan Ellands, performed at a sold-out recital for 50 people.
“It was beautiful,” said Ridgway. “Everybody’s toes were tapping, it was really lovely.”
In the past, the piano was a staple of the community, and Boudreau hopes that it will remain “the piano of the people” in the future.
She envisions open mike nights, community events, children’s piano lessons and informal gatherings.
Although the piano was housed at the Playhouse for more than 90 years, Boudreau hopes it will remain at the old school for the foreseeable future.
“We hope it’s safe here, now, forever.”