Name/Title
Pump Organ and Stool from Phyllis Diller, c.Entry/Object ID
2025.83.1Description
Acc. No. 25.83.1 A, B
Subject Category: Celebrities of Alameda
Date or Period: early 1900s
Object: Organ, stool
Description: Pump organ (A) and stool (B) of Dark red wood, organ possibly mahogany; circular stool appears to have a base of dark-stained oak, and leather cushion. Organ has decorative pilasters supporting the keyboard, a movable cover and decorative spindles and knobs along the top and sides. Two handles at the sides and upholstered pedals. 8 ivory knobs. Organ has maker's name painted in gold paint above the keys: 'W.W. Kimball Chicago, Ills., U.S.A"
Size: A (organ): H: 7' 3" x (max.) W: 43 1/2" x Depth (at keyboard): 23 1/2";
B: H: 22 1/2"; diameter base: 15 1/2; diameter cushion: 10 1/2"
History of Object: Organ from Phyllis Diller's home in Brentwood, LA; this type of pump organ reminded Phyllis of the type of organ in the homes of her family and neighbors in Wapaconecta, Ohio, where she was born and grew up.
Phyllis Diller moved to Alameda in 1945 with her first husband, who worked at the Naval Air Station, (NAS) Alameda. Initially they lived in the Encinal Housing Project near Webster Street, later they moved to a house on the corner of Fernside and Fremont Street. Phyllis was a member of the PTA of Edison School, and was encouraged by other PTA members to pursue a career as an entertainer. After working for radio stations in Oakland and San Francisco, she moved to St. Louis in the 1960s, where she got her break into stand-up comedy. She divorced her husband in 1965, she later moved to LA, where she died in 2012 at the age of 95.
The organ and stool were donated by Phyllis and became part of a display opened in 2009, funded and curated by Ron Ucovich.
Acquired from: Phyllis Diller via Ron Ucovich
Donation Date: c. 2008
Catalog Date: 8/6/2025