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The Great Puget Sound Wind Harp
Ron had been inspired by hearing his own small Celtic harp playing in
the wind, so he drew up plans for a huge version of the instrument
(23 feet tall), and
somehow managed to convince the developer of his neighborhood to fund it.
On a cliff high above Agate Pass, with the help of friends Bart Berg,
and brothers Jeff and Charlie Bodony, the site was prepared.
Long-time friend and marine structural engineer Ed Hagemann worked with
Ron to design a 2-ton concrete foundation so that the harp could withstand
100-mph gales.
The soundbox was built - a tall and narrow pyramid-shaped building with a proper
door and a loft. Windows were including at both levels so that listeners
could take in the spectacular view.
During the winter, Ron built the neck, or top portion, of the harp by
laminating 24 1 x 6s together, and bending it into the harmonic curve
to give the structure the distinguishing harp shape. This huge beam took
up most of the space in Ron's tiny workshop.
A neighbor donated a Douglas fir pole for the pillar of the harp, and
in summer, a short time before the harp was to be completed, Ron joined the
neck and the pillar together.
Finally, Ron sent out invitations to everybody he could think of.
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![[Great Puget
Sound Wind Harp]](images/pswh1.jpg)
