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The Great Stalacpipe Organ

An organ located deep within a cave and whose "pipes" are the geological features of the cave itself
  • The Great Stalacpipe Organ in Luray, Virginia

    Click to enlarge.  

  • The Great Stalacpipe Organ in Luray, Virginia

    Click to enlarge.  

  • The Great Stalacpipe Organ in Luray, Virginia

    Click to enlarge.  

  • An album recorded in the cave with the stalacpipe organ - The Great Stalacpipe Organ in Luray, Virginia

    Click to enlarge. An album recorded in the cave with the stalacpipe organ source

  • Picture of the cave from 1906 - The Great Stalacpipe Organ in Luray, Virginia

    Click to enlarge. Picture of the cave from 1906 source

  • Closeup on the solenoid - The Great Stalacpipe Organ in Luray, Virginia

    Click to enlarge. Closeup on the solenoid source

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Deep in the Luray Caverns of Virginia sits the largest musical instrument in the world. The Great Stalacpipe Organ appears at first to be a normal looking organ, but instead of pipes, the organ is wired to soft rubber mallets poised before stalactites. When the keyboard is played, the entire subterranean landscape becomes the instrument.

In order to achieve a precise musical scale, the chosen stalactites of the organ range over 3.5 acres, but due to the enclosed nature of the space, the full sound can be heard anywhere within the cavern. The organ was invented and built in 1954 by Leland Sprinkle, a mathematician and electronic scientist. It took him over three years to complete it.

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  • Hours Hours of Admission: Tours begin every day at 9:00 am. The last tour departs at different times during the year, but as long as you show up by four you'll be fine.
  • Cost General Admission: $19.00 (includes admission the connected Car and Carriage Caravan Museum)
  • Address The Great Stalacpipe Organ
    970 US 211-W
    Luray
    VA
    United States

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