Hidden deep within Luray Caverns is a musical marvel —the Great Stalacpipe Organ. This one-of-a-kind instrument was the idea of Mr. Leland W. Sprinkle. He was a mathematician and electronic scientist at the Pentagon. His inspiration came on a tour in 1954 when he watched a guide tap a stalactite. Fascinated by the natural sound, Mr. Sprinkle began a groundbreaking journey to transform the caverns into the world’s largest musical instrument.
Over the next three years, he explored over three acres of the caverns. Using 13 English tuning forks, he identified stalactites with perfect pitch potential. Each formation was then carefully shaped to match specific notes. The results created an expansive, living orchestra of stone.
To bring the instrument to life, he placed electronic mallets throughout the caverns and connected them to a four-manual console. When you press a key, a rubber plunger strikes the tuned stalactite. This produces a resonant tone that fills the cavern with ethereal music.
Today, the Great Stalacpipe Organ continues to captivate visitors. An automated system now plays melodies, like a child’s music box. Of course, the organ is still capable of manual performances. Just like Mr. Sprinkle once played himself.
The organ has appeared on TV and radio, including National Public Radio, Good Morning America, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Many see it as an amazing mix of human creativity and nature’s beauty. One visitor said it best:
“Man’s genius and the hand of God are in perfect harmony here.”
Come see it for yourself only at Luray Caverns.
Visit luraycaverns.com for tickets and more info.
