The Wurlitzer Music Roll Department

Wurlitzer Music Roll Department

The still-operational, historic equipment in the Wurlitzer Music Roll Department demonstrates the production of paper music rolls. Band organs (like the one pictured below) use these rolls to produce the inimitable and universally recognized sound of an American carousel. Visitors are able to watch any of the machines which may be in use at the time of their visit. All the machines are over 90 years old.

In addition to the machinery, the Wurlitzer Music Roll Department includes over 1600 hand-punched original master music rolls dating back to the turn of the 20th century. This is the only public display of equipment of this type in the country! A new state-of-the-art Music Hall is currently under construction on our campus and will house this entire collection when completed.