Inside Sandzen Fall 07

INSIDE SANDZÉN
This feature, highlighting a discovery relating to Sandzén from the archives, will be periodically updated on the website and is planned for each issue of Gallery Notes.

On October 20, 1957, the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery was dedicated on the corner of the campus of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. In this letter Sandzén's widow, Alfrida, writes details of the dedication and the building to "Dearest Evelyn" [Sheetz Harms], a good friend of her daughter Margaret as well as herself. Alfrida was a talented pianist, and her husband-to-be described her as such to his parents after his arrival in Lindsborg.

	…The largest gallery [in the building] is called the Thorsen Room [in honor of another close friend, Oscar Thorsen, pianist and Bethany College teacher]. Sandzén's son-in-law Pelham Greenough's Aunt Ethel [Greenough Holmes], who now lives in The Palisades, Calif., presented the Gallery with a Baldwin concert grand piano. [The Thorsen Room is] wonderful for smaller more intimate concerts, with a seating capacity from 200 to 250 [now regularly for 110]. The acoustics are perfect. Already several faculty recitals have been given [between October 15 and November 17].
	Oh yes, the dedication service at the Gallery was beautiful. It was at 2:15 p.m. The Gallery was packed when we entered….
	After the services were over, I invited out-of-town guests in two groups for an informal coffee. It worked beautifully. Harold [Engstrom], my cousin, and Bertha [his wife], were with us. I was so sorry Harold Jr., one of the architects, couldn't be with us….
	Time goes fast. Won't be long before Thanksgiving….Thanksgiving comes this year the 28th, both Margaret and Pel's and Birger's and my wedding anniversaries…. Your devoted, Tant Frida.*

*Other details of the dedication are found in issues of the Lindsborg News-Record for September 14, October 21 (two articles, on pp. 1-2), and October 24, 1957. The latter article (the "Chips" column) includes Pelham's estimate that more than 500 people attended the dedication, "with many not being able to get into the building. In fact the gallery had a steady stream of visitors all afternoon."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Quotes from two other letters concerning the dedication of the Gallery are found in the Fall 2007 issue of Gallery Notes, distributed to all Gallery members.