(Photograph courtesy of Durward Center.)

Zaharakos ice cream parlor, Columbus, Indiana, circa 2016. The centerpiece in this photograph is the Welte Style #3 Cottage Orchestrion, No. 1631. This orchestrion is the last original commercial installation of a Welte orchestrion remaining in the world. The three Zaharakos brothers opened their confectionery in 1900, and bought the imposing instrument from Welte in 1908. The business was a grand success, becoming a social center for the little town.

(Photograph courtesy of Durward Center.)

The meticulously restored Welte Style 3 Cottage Orchestrion, No. 1631, located in Zaharakos ice cream parlor, Columbus, Indiana. The restoration of this organ posed many challenges. Having been in service for 98 years, many parts had become worn and replaced with less than elegant parts. The pumps had their original leather, but with patches on top of patches attached with every glue known to man—even staples. Consequently, the feeder bellows were having to run so fast to keep up with leakage that the instrument was literally shaking itself to death.