Our Mission:

  • To promote understanding and appreciation of the theatre, musical instruments and their tradition through the establishment of a non-profit public museum.
  • To preserve and restore musical instruments of significant historic interest and other related artifacts of lasting interest to the community.
  • To present public programming through active use of the museum’s musical instruments, technical discussions, newsletters, seminars and other activities.
  •  To bring together people with a common interest in music, who may enjoy listening and sharing experiences in the world of music.
  • To cooperate closely with other museums, societies, and groups to promote cultural opportunities in the community and the State of New York.

Honoring the history and exciting sound of the only remaining originally intact Wurlitzer, Style 235, in the Syracuse area, now installed in the Empire Theatre on the NYS Fairgrounds.

RKO Keiths Theatre - Syracuse, NY

History of Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum

ESTMIM Wurlitzer Restoration Crew

NY STATE FAIR THEATRE PIPE ORGAN MUSEUM

ESTMIM and the New York Fair have developed a relationship to honor the legacy of the Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ.

Wurlitzer Pipe Organ Played NY State Fair

WHAT WE DO

Sharing the musical sound of the Wurlitzer pipe organ at the New York State Fair.

ESTMIM Wurlitzer Restoration Crew

B.F. RKO KEITH’S THEATRE

This theatre was one of many that people would flock to see performances and hear the sound of the Wurlitzer pipe organ in the 1920s.

History of the Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum

OUR EXHIBITS

From the legendary RKO Keith Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ to coin pianos and the Aeolian-Hammond player. See why these historic instruments are treasured and being displayed today.

RKO Keith Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ NYS Fairgrounds

PROGRAMS

It is both our mission and our pleasure to present to the community programs that showcase the music that once filled the theatres of our country.