The First Concert Organ in The Country – Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Methuen MA

As a holiday treat to my mother, sisters and the Retro Roadkids, I ventured to Massachusetts a couple of weeks ago to bring them to a holiday recital on the Great Boston Music Hall Organ, at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Methuen, MA. Listening to classic Christmas tunes played on this grand pipe organ, a splendid time was had by all!

Originally built for the Boston Music Hall which opened in 1852 (now known clunkily as the "Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre") the organ was inagurated into that space 11 years later, to great public acclaim.



However, much like we see today, times and tastes changed. In 1881 the Boston Symphony Orchestra was founded and drew the audience away from the great organ. With the orchestra's popularity also came need for additional stage space, and it was deemed that this outmoded relic was too big for the hall's current needs.

Despite vigorous protests the organ was sold and removed from the hall. Eventually the organ - which had cost over $60,000 to build, was resold for $1500 to Edward Francis Searles of Methuen.

Finished in 1909, the Serlo Organ Hall in Methuen, MA where the organ now resides was built specifically for this great organ and is known for its wonderful acoustics and italianate decor. It is interesting to note that the organ was used only for the private entertainment of Mr. Searles, and the public was not admitted to the hall during his lifetime (he died in 1920).

Now on the register of historic places, you'd never know what a fabulous treat awaits you behind it's classic brick facade. I would not have known about it myself except that I had attended a wedding there years ago. It's a beautiful space for a wedding for sure.

I knew this was a place that my mother would enjoy, and the RetroRoadkids were amazed with the organ as well. I'm hoping the memories of seeing it and hearing it will last them a lifetime (an auntie can dream!)

We were lucky enough to attend this concert before they closed up for the winter (can you imagine how expensive it would be to heat such a place?!) but please keep this fantastic destination in mind and check out their website to learn when they re-open in the spring. It's truly a hidden gem!