Imported with Organ/Harmonium by Thomas Sebire in 1911Stool (with Organ/Harmonium) with carved shaped legs. Imported from Cornish Company Washington New Jersey USAmusic stools

This organ stool was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. The stool was possibly donated together with the Mason & Hamilton reed organ, which was generously donated by the Joy Club for Fighters, a charity organisation in Williamstown. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centr4es in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This organ stool is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The stool is historically significant for its connection to the 1880s Mason & Hamilton reed organ that was also in the St Nicholas Seamen's Church in Williamstown. The connection of this stool to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, and possibly to the Joy Club for Fighters, highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Stool; mahogany organ stool, angled seat with two legs reinforced by horizontal wooden bar. Legs have a decorative cut away design. This stool is in our St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, church furniture, religious furniture, religious worship, missions to seamen victoria, st nicholas seamen’s church williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, church music, stool, organ stool, piano stool

This chapel organ, or pump organ, was made by the Packard Company of Fort Wayne, USA. It was purchased locally from John Broadwood Shepherd & Son of Liebig St, Warrnambool. The donor advised that it was played for many years in the Winslow Presbyterian Church, southwestern Victoria (on Caramut Road, now a private residence). The serial number of the organ dates to be no older than 1887 and no younger than 1901, according to The Pump Organ Society. The goals of The Packard Company, as quoted from the Fort Wayne Gazette, 6th August 1873 are summarised as such; “In the first place, it was determined to make an organ which should be excelled by none. …. It is interesting to the uninitiated to watch the different processes which literally convert the trees of the forest into the marvellous instruments which sound the praises of God in thousands of churches and Sabbath Schools, or make sweet music in multitudes of homes.” The music store of John Broadwood Shepherd and Son had an “impressive” stand at The Great Warrnambool Exhibition of 1896 – 1897 and received a medal for its exhibit. It was also involved in the community, sponsoring prizes for the Musical and Recital Competition, which was part of the entertainment for the Exhibition. The “Warrnambool Standard” newspaper has reference to John Broadwood Shepherd and Son in a newspaper of 1887 and another dated April 13, 1901. A brief history of the Packard Company: 1850, Isaac T. Packard joined with Nelson J. Foss and Calvin Hatch to form Packard, Foss, & Co., manufacturing reed organs, seraphines, and melodeons 1871 the Fort Wayne Organ Company was formed, and Isaac Packard has 40 shares. 1872 the first organ was completed 5th Sept 1899, “Fort Wayne Organ Company” was officially changed to “The Packard Company” 1908 – 1914 (different dates given) the Packard Company ceased producing organs and specialised in pianos. 1930 company went into receivership 1935 the city of Fort Wayne acquired the former Packard Company property, tore the buildings down and turned it into a park, now known as Packard Park. The organ is significant to local history for being sold by a Warrnambool business and played at a local chape or church. It represents community and religious life in late Victorian times.Chapel organ or pump organ (with stool), dated not before 1897 and not after 1901. Medium brown timber with fretwork and turned spindles, Manufactured by Packard, Fort Wayne U.S.A. Organ was purchased from John Broadwood Shepherd & Son, Liebig St, Warrnambool. Serial number is stamped into the wood, rear of organ. lower right panel. Pedals are covered in carpet and each has the maker's name on the lower part of the pedal frame. The keyboard has five octaves and twelve stoppers.Words on front panel “Packard Organ / Fort Wayne Ind. U.S.A. / JOHN BORADWOOD SHEPHERD & SON, / LIEBIG STREET, WARRNAMBOOL.” Serial Number "48870"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, great ocean road, pump organ, packard organ, fort wayne usa, john broadwood shepherd & son, john broadwood, winslow victoria, church music, musical instrument, john broadwood shepherd and son, presbyterian church, winslow presbyterian church, the great warrnambool exhibition 1896-1897

Smith and H. W. Smith began in 1852 then became known as the Smith American Organ Company. Located in Boston, U.S.A. This organ was used in St Aidens, the Church of England, TawongaWooden organ with 2 hinges to raise the lid from one position and then to the next. There is a decorative wooden barrier to stop the music books from falling onto the keyboard. Above the keyboard are 5 knobs on the left and 6 on the right. The front of the organ is decoratively carved. The 2 foot pedals are covered with cloth. The middle panel on the back has been repaired. Wooden stool"Boston U.S.A." on the inside "Organ Company / Melbourne" "Smith American / Allan & Co." "Wilkies' ?church organ, music

Hymnal book, imported by Mr Thomas Sebire in 1911, with Organ, Organ stool and Instruction book from Cornish Company, Washington, New Jersey, USA.A damaged vintage red leather bound Methodist School Hymnal Book. The title is stamped in gold lettering on the front cover with a decorative pattern embossed around it. religious books, hymn books, hymns, hymnals

There is a brass plaque that states: THIS PLAQUE IS IN MEMORY OF DORA CHAPMAN daughter of William and Estelle Chapman CALLED HOME WHILE PLAYING THE ORGAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SILVAN CHURCH. SEPTEMBER, 27TH 1936 DORA WAS A SISTER TO MR ERNEST CHAPMAN On another plaque it states: THIS ORGAN WAS A WEDDING PRESENT TO ERN AND BERYL CHAPMAN AND WAS DONATED TO MONT DE LANCEY IN THE YEAR 1994 BY MAVIS, BOB, LES AND ALBERT CHAPMAN The organ was a present from Mr Ernest Chapman and his bride on the occasion of their wedding on October 26th 1927. The organ was made in Meriden Connecticut USA by Wilcox and White in 1885. A date inside the organ indicates that it was last tuned June 16th 1900. A highly decorated, delicate ornate carved wooden pump organ with a round mirror set back into the front panel. It has a sheet music rest or shelf with an opening lid to store sheet music inside the cupboard. There are two side shelves with five knobs on each at the front. It has a keyboard with thirteen stops below. Next to the key stops above the keyboard is gold lettering with 'Wilcox & White Meriden. Connecticut. USA.There are two brass patterned pump foot pedals below: the left one has 'WILCOX' stamped on it, the right pedal has '& WHITE' stamped on it and the metal is damaged from use. There are two carved levers underneath the keyboard: the left one has a sticker saying "Grand Organ", the right one's sticker says, "Knee Swell". There is no stool.The brass covered left foot pump pedal has 'WHITE' stamped on it, the right pedal has '......' stamped on it. There are two carved levers underneath the keyboard: the left one has a sticker saying 'Grand Organ', the right one's sticker says, 'Knee Swell'. The manufacturer : WILCOX AND WHITE is printed in gold letters on ......The thirteen 'stops' all have different musical terms printed in a sticker. e.g...............parlour organs, cabinet organs, harmoniums, pump organs