The company was a closed corporation, with only five stockholders. The buildings were mostly made of wood, and were painted white, presenting a startling contrast to the brick factories neighboring the Sterling on the canal.Ĭharles Sterling served as president of the company until his death in 1887, at which time the company’s major stockholder, Rufus W. The company enjoyed rapid growth, becoming a large factory complex along the Birmingham Canal on Water Street. By 1884 organs made only a small percentage of the company's output, and the company was known as Sterling Piano. Young ladies were trained en masse to play these pianos.Ī large fire destroyed the plant in 1875, but it was quickly rebuilt, and by 1879 the factory was double its original size. After the Civil War, parlor organs became more popular, especially with the large amount of sentimental ballads that developed from that conflict. In 1860, the company added pianos to their line. Shelton, and relocated to Derby before opening the factory. He married the sister of prominent resident Edward N. The Sterling Organ Company was founded in 1845 in Birmingham (now downtown Derby), Connecticut by Charles Sterling of Sharon, CT.
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