Union County Arts Center
2/7 Wurlitzer E27
Rahway, NJ

UCAC
Console Picture: Jean Siegel

smallnew.gif (926 bytes)New Jerry Mendelson CD !!! "The Biggest Little Wurlitzer"
Recording of the Wurlitzer in the Rahway Theatre, Rahway, NJ from the 1970 American Theatre Organ Society annual convention.

The Biggest Little Wurlitzer Jerry Mendelson

History

Rahway Interior
Restored Interior of the former Rahway Theatre now
known as the Union County Arts Center.

Bratter and Pollack's Million dollar Rahway Theatre opened on Tuesday, October 16, 1928 at 7:30 PM, with a gala benefit film and stage show that was the City's social event of the year. The 1600 seat, stadium type theatre was "the last word in elegance and opulence" according to a local newspaper review. As one more link in the B&P east coast chain of neighborhood silent and vaudeville houses, the Rahway was strategically located along the US Route #1, Penn-Central Railroad corridor between NYC and Philadelphia to enable the management to readily avail themselves of shows traveling between the two cities.

Further accounts of the grand opening review state that, "The theatre contains the latest innovations in lighting and staging equipment, capable of producing any conceivable type of show to the highest degree of professionalism." Its construction was virtually fireproof and `'the splendid decor and lighting of the auditorium were crowned by a pendant dome with a 9 foot wide by 13 foot tall crystal chandelier with over 500 lights." Outside, the front facade displayed a huge vertical Rahway tapped with a flashing diamond and boasted a marquee with over 2500 lights. Keynoting all of this was "a $20,000 Wurlitzer, installed in 2 lofts, providing some very classy music." The 2 manual 7 rank Wurlitzer Model E27 installed in it around 1928.

The vaudeville pit band and organ were short lived; sound movies arrived a few months after the opening. In 1936 Mr. Sam Englemen, who built the theatre, sold it to new owners, the Colombia Amusement Corp. Although the huge crystal chandelier and 2500 lamp marquee are long gone, the auditorium and its classy Wurlitzer still remain much the same as on opening night.

In 1962 responding to an article in the newspaper, Wendel Rotter investigated and with Mike Hughes began working on the pipe organ. Bob Balfour also became aware of the pipe organ through the newspaper and joined Wendel and Mike. The three became the triumvirate caring for the organ for many years.

Unfortunately, the theatre lost its audience. It was neglected and finally closed. Bob Balfour and other concerned residents became active and "Land Marks" was organized. In 1979, the group formed out of the organ crew and was successful in saving and restoring the theatre. They purchased the theatre in 1983 and renovations slowly began. Later it was renamed the Union County Arts Center, which is extremely beautiful and active now.

AMERICAN THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY


NATIONAL REGISTRY OF SIGNIFICANT INSTRUMENTS

Designates this as an organ of exceptional historic
and musical merit, worthy of preservation.


The 2-Manual, 7-Rank Wurlitzer Organ
Union County Arts Center, Rahway, New Jersey

has been entered into the Registry, #0053.

This Registration is given to the owner in trust
as long as the organ is maintained in a manner
consistent with its musical and historic significance.


___________________________________                       DATED: May 2006
    Gus Franklin, President

Organ Specification

Tabs from left to right on console (L = Main, R = Solo)
 

Pedal
L Diaphone 16
L Bourdon 16
R Trumpet 8
L Diaphonic Diapason 8
R Tibia Clausa 8
L Cello 8
L Flute 8
R Bass Drum
R Kettle Drum
R Crash
R Crash Cymbal		 Accomp.
L Contra Viol 16
L Bourdon 16
R Vox Humana 16
R Trumpet 8
L Diaphonic Diapason 8
R Tibia Clausa 8
L Violin 8
L Violin Celeste 8
L Concert Flute 8
R Vox Humana 8
L Octave 4
R Piccolo 4
L Viol 4
L Octave Celeste 4
L Flute 4
R Vox Humana 4
L Piccolo 2
L Chyrsoglott
R Snare Drum
R Tambourine
R Castanets
R Cathedral Bell
R Tom Tom
R Sleigh Bell		 Great
L Diaphonic Diapason 16
R Tibia Clausa 16
L Bourdon 16
R Vox Humana 16
R Trumpet 8
L Diaphonic Diapason 8
R Tibia Clausa 8
L Violin 8
L Violin Celeste 8
L Concert Flute 8
R Vox Humana 8
L Octave 4
R Piccolo 4
L Viol 4
L Octave Celeste 4
L Flute 2 2/3
R Tibia 2 2/3
Piccolo 2
Concert Piccolo 2
Tierce 1 3/5
Cathedral Bell
Xylophone 8
Glockenspiel
Chrysoglott

2nd Touch: Trumpet 8, Tibia Clausa 8
Couplers: Solo Suboctave, Solo Octave
Trems: Main Solo, Solo Solo, Vox