135 Year Old Organ, Restored and Retrofitted with Hidden TV!

About This Project

Wow! We have seen a LOT of unique and interesting places to hide a TV, but this is definitely the first time we have ever seen anyone make a Pop Up TV Cabinet out of a musical instrument! When brothers Joe and Jim Mussulman approached us to talk about this project, we were really excited to see how it would turn out. As you can see, it looks awesome! Talk about camouflage...who would ever guess that a piece of antique Americana could be retrofitted to include so much super-modern technology? It must be quite a surprise for anyone in the room when Jim reveals that the antique organ is actually his complete entertainment center! Jim's brother Joe is the mastermind and craftsman behind this amazing transformation. If you look closely you can see that Joe was able to build in not only the Pop Up TV, but also a DVR, DVD, ventilation system and other technology. And Joe's creativity is not only limited to entertainment centers; he has also created a number of other unique projects using antique pump organs, including a bathroom vanity, complete with sink and running water, which is controlled by stepping on the organ's foot pedals! Thank you to Joe and Jim for sharing this terrific project with us!

Notes from craftsman, Joe Mussulman:
Reed, or "pump" organs were very popular from about 1870 to around 1920 because they were cheaper to produce and lighter than their contemporary pianos. They kept their tune regardless of temperature or humidity, so they traveled well. Many were brought west by covered wagon, or were brought "around the horn". There were 653 companies in the United States that manufactured portable foot pump reed organs between 1850 and 1955.

The organ used in this project was manufactured sometime around 1875, by the Prescott Organ Company in Concord, New Hampshire. It spent many years in private homes, as the family entertainment center. It has now been refurbished and modernized with a 40' flat screen HD TV, DVR, DVD and surround sound in order to retain its place as a focal point in the American living room. A Nexus 21 TV Lift System enables this important part of American history to live again in the twenty-first century.

Notes from organ owner, Jim Mussulman:
The Nexus system works silently and flawlessly. The installation instructions were straightforward and easy to follow. I am extremely satisfied with the lift system (and the fine piece of furniture from my brother).