Leavenworth's historic glockenspiel to make return to Front Street

LEAVENWORTH – The Greater Leavenworth Museum is spearheading a project to restore the historic glockenspiel to its original operating condition.

Located on the east side of the Tannenbaum building overlooking Front Street, the glockenspiel was loved for opening its doors and playing music, as four wooden figurines danced in a circle around each other. 

“I remember, especially on the weekends, people would gather around the Tannenbaum building just before the top of the hour, just to watch the doors open and the dancers come out and dance, and the glockenspiel, with its tones, it's just beautiful,” said Ann Osborne Peavey, who grew up in Leavenworth.

According to GLM, Bob Rodgers and Ted Price owned the Tannenbaum building in 1965 when it became one of the first six buildings to undergo the Bavarian remodel. The glockenspiel, built by a young man named Kit Clark and his carpenter father, is believed to have been installed and operated in 1966.

“Kit was a very talented artist. He could paint, draw. He did a lot of metal work. He carved those dolls,” said Linda Phippen, sister of Kit Clark.

Phippen witnessed the town transform, with her family playing an active role in its change. According to Phippen, her father was hired to work on many of the Bavarian renovations, and her mother was actively involved in the transformation efforts.

“It was like, you graduate from high school and you leave there. There wasn't a whole lot of employment for young people or much reason to stick around the town…So it was just fun to see the development of the town and the tourism, and very interesting,” said Phippen.

The glockenspiel operated for decades, drawing a crowd of spectators each time the dancers appeared from behind the doors. It is believed that the glockenspiel ceased operations in 2011, due to a pigeon problem and maintenance challenges. However, the museum is still seeking corroborating information as to when the glockenspiel had its “last dance.” 

Yet, for some, the memory of the glockenspiel never went away, such as Tom Phillips, who has fond memories of watching it with his wife and four sons over 40 years ago.

“The boys always enjoyed the glockenspiel. In fact, there were many times we'd be at the other end of town, and when they knew it was getting close to the hour, they'd make us come all the way back to watch this thing,” said Phillips. 

Last fall, Phillips approached GLM President Matt Cade about the possibility of restoring it. The two met with the building’s owners, Robert and Sherry Schichi, who gifted the glockenspiel equipment and agreed to lease the space to the museum in perpetuity. Phillips volunteered his time as a project manager and contractor. 

When Phippen caught wind that the glockenspiel would be getting restored, she immediately sent a donation.

“Matt Cade was really laughing about it, because he said that mine was the first donation that came in for the glockenspiel when I first heard that they were going to be reworking it, or trying to rework it. So, yeah, I was really pleased,” said Phippen.

The attic space needed a deep cleaning to undo years of pigeon occupancy, which led Phillips to wonder how much work was needed to get it back in operation. However, the wood figurines, which were originally believed to need new paint, looked like new after some soap and water.

“We didn't realize if it even worked when we got in there. It was a matter of, we had some wiring to redo, and we had to clean up some of the gears. And then suddenly we turned it on, and lo and behold, it fired up, music and everything. So that was really exciting,” said Phillips.

The project was originally estimated to cost $40,500. The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce contributed $10,000, München Haus contributed $5,000, and the City of Leavenworth recently approved a reimbursement grant of $10,000 in Lodging Tax funds for the project.

GLM is still working to verify the history of the glockenspiel’s beginning and cessation. Those with photos or other historical information regarding the glockenspiel are advised to reach out to GLM. Donations to the glockenspiel refurbishing efforts can be made at leavenworthmuseum.org.

If renovations go according to plan, GLM and the Chamber of Commerce anticipate a grand reveal during the first weekend of Oktoberfest.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media