The Heart of Williams High School
3/24 Wurlitzer/Kimball Theatre Organ
Out of all of the high schools in North Carolina, Williams is the only one equipped with a working theatre organ. A large auditorium was desired and planned in the late 1940’s for the new high school in Burlington. However, shortly before construction, the school board announced there were not enough funds for a 2,500 seat auditorium and plans were being downsized to a 1,000 seat venue. Money was raised by the Times-News, to which Mr. & Mrs. Williams contributed further funds and the plans were restored. In the process, Walter and Flonie Williams also commissioned an enormous pipe organ from the Standaart Organ Co., with 4 manuals and 66 ranks of pipes.
That majestic organ played for 30 years. Unfortunately, it fell into disuse and needed repairs that were never made. The Piedmont Theatre Organ Enthusiasts, led by Dr. Paul Abernethy intervened in the early 1980’s before the organ was due to be removed during remodeling. The PTOE took responsibility for the organ and its future maintenance and re-outfitted the pipe chambers. The instrument today is a hybrid, finding its origins in silent film theatres in Scranton, PA and New Bern, NC over a century ago.
In January 2024, the computer that ran the organ crashed. The Times-News came to our aid again and the late journalist Robbie Nelms wrote a front page story. On the very day it was published, the public contributed enough money for a replacement computer and software.
Dr. Abernethy’s son, Paul “Mac” Abernethy Jr. has overseen this instrument for decades as engineer and technician and continues to impart his organ knowledge to Williams. The Williams Organ Club has big dreams for this organ as we usher in a new chapter of its use: we hope to add more ranks of pipes, bring in professional organists to instruct students, play silent films for the student body and the public, create an organ workshop in the basement where students learn how to care for the instrument, and more. However, we can only do these things with support from the community. We want to sincerely thank those of you who have contributed to our organ funds already, and we are humbly still accepting donations.
If you would prefer to make a tax deductible donation, please make checks payable to Walter M Williams High School, and include in the memo: "Organ fund."
Questions about the organ or would you like a tour of the instrument? Please contact Walter M Williams HS Chorus Director Joseph Connor