The Van Dam organ (1881) in the Koogerkerk in Zuid-Scharwoude is one of the largest instruments built by the organ builders L. van Dam & Sons, a renowned family of organ makers whose workshop was established in 1777. Four generations of the Van Dam family continued the organ-building tradition. The second generation consisted of two sons of the founder: Luitjen Jacob and Jacob. After 1846, three sons of Luitjen Jacob carried on the business: Lambertus (1823–1904), Pieter (1824–1889), and Jacob (1828–1907), who built the organ in 1881.

The instrument had two manuals and a coupled pedal, but with ample space reserved for the future installation of an independent pedal division. Space was also left for a Mixture stop, indicated on the stop knobs as *Muëtte 3-4 st*, and a Quint Flute on the upper manual, indicated as *Muëtte 3 vt*.

In 1912, the Salicet 4' on the upper manual was replaced by the firm H.W. Flentrop of Zaandam with a new factory-built Voix Céleste 8', starting from tenor c.

In 1932, the same firm made use of the reserved space to install a pneumatic transmission chest, placing the pipes C–d' of the manual Bourdon 16' on it, making it playable separately on the pedal as well.

In 1965, a wind motor was installed for the first time, sourced from the Dutch Reformed Church in Broek op Langedijk, making the organ blower redundant. However, the hand-pumping mechanism remained fully intact.

During the most recent major restoration and expansion (1983/1984) by Bakker & Timmenga in Leeuwarden, with Jan Jongepier of Leeuwarden as advisor, the windchests were restored and a full independent pedal division was realized on a newly built windchest. The foundation for the pedal division was the pipework of four stops taken from the unfortunately demolished Van Dam organ in the Oosterkerk in Leiden (built in 1901). A Salicet, also from the Oosterkerk, was placed in the position formerly occupied by the Voix Céleste. Some modifications were made to the wind system, and the pneumatic transmission was removed. To preserve the pumping levers, they were turned inward. The originally empty stop positions for the Mixture and Quint Flute were filled, using dummy façade pipe material from the central tower of the Leiden organ. During the church restoration, the organ was moved from the choir on the east side to the west side of the church, in front of the tower. The acoustics are excellent, making the church highly suitable for all kinds of concerts.

Source: koogerkerk.nl