About

Tucked away in Amersham is a truly unique collection - the Amersham Fair Organ Museum (Registered Charity No. 1102001). As one of the UK’s leading institutions dedicated to mechanical music, this museum is a must-visit for anyone fascinated by history, engineering, and the soundtrack of a bygone era.

Forget quiet displays in exhibition cases - this collection is alive with music! The Museum opens its doors to the public six times a year, filling the space with the magnificent sound of historic musical instruments. It’s an experience that delights locals, captivates tourists, and offers a wonderful day out for all ages.

What Is a Fairground Organ?

Imagine the bustling, vibrant atmosphere of a travelling fair at the turn of the 20th century. Before cheap amplifiers, the proprietors of rides needed a source of music powerful enough to draw in the crowds - and that’s where the mechanical organ came in.

These impressive instruments operate on the same principle as a traditional pipe organ, using bellows to feed air through pipework to create sound. The magic, however, lies in how they are ‘played’. Instead of a human organist at a keyboard, these colossal music machines are operated by perforated cardboard books, paper rolls, or pinned cylinders, automating the performance with flawless, powerful energy.

Unfortunately, the music stopped for many organs in the 1930s when affordable, amplified records became available. Many of these heritage instruments were destroyed or dismantled - but thanks to dedicated enthusiasts, their melodies continue today.

The Legacy of Albert Reed

The remarkable collection housed at Amersham started as the private passion of a local resident, Albert ‘Ted’ Reed, back in the 1960s. Ted was a tireless champion of the preservation movement, dedicating himself to saving British fairground heritage from being lost forever.

His site at Plantation Road became a sanctuary for all manner of intriguing objects, from steam engines and fairground rides to, most importantly, these magnificent organs. In 2004, Mr. Reed officially founded the Amersham Fair Organ Museum Trust, ensuring that this incredible gathering of instruments would be preserved and enjoyed by the public in perpetuity. Now home to an ever-growing number of exhibits, the Museum is proudly carrying the legacy of these historic items forward into the 21st century.

Visiting the Museum

The Museum’s public open days offer free entry and a truly unforgettable experience. You can walk amongst, and listen to, a wide variety of instruments dating from 1870 right through to the present day. To keep things lively, organs are played in 15 - 20 minute rotation, ensuring you hear a diverse range of styles and sounds.

The friendly team of volunteers are always on hand: keen to answer questions, explain the technology of the 19th and 20th centuries, and share their enthusiasm for the collection. After tapping your feet, you can relax in the Museum’s tea room, which supplies a range of welcome refreshments.

Private Tours & Specialist Events

Beyond its public openings, the Museum also hosts private tours of the collection. These guided experiences offer a deeper dive into the history of the instruments and their technological evolution spanning over 175 years. Keep an eye out for our specialist exhibitions, which occasionally feature guest instruments, expert speakers, and even online concerts and activities.

There’s only one real way to fully experience the rich sound and diverse heritage of this collection - by visiting! You’re guaranteed to be swept away by the sound and spirit of preservation.

Find out more: for full details of the Museum’s opening dates and times, please visit afom.org.uk or follow them on social media at facebook.com/fairorganmuseum

Photos kindly taken by Colin Drake at the Chiltern Society.

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