Here are some of my memories, sometimes fuzzy due to age.  The organ
I saw at Bushkill Park in 2004 was a late style Wurlitzer 146-B.
The organ and the Allen Herschell carousel came from Willow Mill Park
in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, after that park closed.  There was an
article in Carousel News & Trader magazine (1993) about the carousel
being moved to Bushkill Park.  I don't know anything on the history of
band organs at Bushkill prior to what I saw in 2004.

In 1972 the flood at Willow Mill Park caused damage to the Wurlitzer
146 as the ride was close to a stream.  The organ was restored by
Mike Kitner, who did the maintenance thereafter.  Some years later the
Willow Mill Park was again flooded but I think the organ was spared in
that one.  Mike continued to take care of it while at Bushkill.  Later,
Mike realized that his illness would likely be fatal and told Ron Long
to contact me for repairs if he was unable to work.

In the spring of 2004 Ron called me to work on the organ.  Due to my
age and the distance I couldn't take care of it long-term but I agreed
to go to the park to see what it needed.  Mike's work was still in
great condition -- just a few valve problems and a reed adjustment
needed on a trombone.  I made the repairs and tuned it.

In the fall I got a call from Ron with the bad news about the flood
damage.  I made a trip to the park to see its condition.  As I recall
the flood water level had reached to somewhere below the bottom of the
cresting on the ride.  The organ was located in the center of the ride
and was trapped by the rigging and the horse poles when the water came
through.  Otherwise it would have likely been carried away by the flood
waters.

The organ main case was now off the ride and placed indoors.  The roll
drive system was still present.  The main case and contents were mainly
intact but the muddy flood water had done its damage.  I imagine the
pumps, windchest, stack, valves and pipes were filled with mud.

Most of the bottom pipes were gone, the glue having been dissolved by
the flood water.  I don't recall if all the facade, drums, etc., were
still there.  There were some assorted parts which they had salvaged
in a trailer.

The organ could still be restored again with a lot of time and work
involved.  I guess Ron still has the organ as I've not heard of it
being sold.

Bill Black