Chapter History

The Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (A.G.O.) was formed on the 24^th of September 1956, emanating from the original charter of the Indiana Chapter, which was chartered on February 3, 1919.  A brief history of the Indiana Chapters written by Georgia E. Lockenhour, A.A.G.O., dated February 11, 1969 was presented to the DePauw University School of Music, Greencastle, IN.  The Indiana Chapter was formed at DePauw University under the auspices of their School of Music.  Van Denman Thompson was the first Dean, and the towns represented were:  Thorntown, Muncie, Indianapolis, Frankfort, Terre Haute and Greencastle.  The name was changed in 1956 “when other chapters began springing up throughout the State of Indiana.”   Separate chapters began in Greencastle (DePauw University 1925-1963), Evansville (1959-), Fort Wayne (1946-), Bloomington (Indiana University 1949-), Indianapolis (1956-), Kokomo (1966-inactivated), Lafayette (1957-inactivated), Muncie (1960-), St. Joseph Valley (1946-), Wabash Valley (Terre Haute 1953-) and Whitewater Valley (1952-).  Current Chapters of the AGO in Indiana are in Bloomington, Evansville, Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, Muncie, Northwest Indiana, St. Joseph Valley, Southern Indiana, University of Evansville, Valparaiso University, and the Wabash Valley.

 The Indianapolis Chapter and many of its members are also supportive of the Organ Historical Society (O.H.S.) and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (C.I.C.-A.T.O.S.).  The OHS held its national convention in Indianapolis in the summer of 2007 and the CIC-ATOS will host their national/international convention here in the summer of 2008.  Over the years, the Indianapolis Chapter has hosted several Regional AGO conventions.  There is a close relationship between the Indianapolis Chapter and the Bloomington Chapter in particular. 

 Historical information pertaining to the Indianapolis Chapter resides in the Indiana Historical Society and some duplicative material will soon be residing with the Central Library in downtown Indianapolis.  There have been some displays of chapter memorabilia supplemented by local organbuilder Goulding & Wood in the past at both venues.