Magnolia Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society

The Saenger Theater, Hattiesburg, MS. 39301

Home of a Robert Morton 3/8 Theater Organ

This page is under construction - and will be added to as materials are found and organized.

In 1928 the Saenger Amusement Company leased the Hamasa Shrine Temple Theater in Meridian, MS - turning that 1800 seat traditional theater into one of the growing number of "Movie Palaces" being established around the world. The early success of that venture lead Abe and Julian Saenger to have New Orleans architect Emile Weile (the designer of the Temple) create another, though smaller (1000 seat) movie palace which began construction in 1929. A more modest design than the Temple, the Hattiesburg Saenger has elements of the Neo-Classical Revival Style and Art Deco Style, and includes Mayan-inspired element.

The Saenger Theater Stage.

Being designed as a "Movie Palace" from the beginning - a Theater Organ was designed specifically for this installation by the Robert Morton Organ Company, who specialized in Theater and similar "Unit Instrument" organs (including several for various Disney Installations).

Specifications of the Meridian Temple Robert Morton 3/8*

Console			PipeWork Left (Solo) Chamber		PipeWork Right (Accompaniment) Chamber
	Keyboards			Tibia 79 Notes Tuba 12 Notes / Trumpet73 Notes Vox Humana 61 Notes		Flute 73 Notes Violin 73 Notes Violin II (Celeste) 61 Notes
		Solo Manual 61 Keys Great Manual 1st Touch 61 Keys Great Manual 2nd Touch 61 Keys Accomp Manual 1st Touch 61 Keys Accomp Manual 2nd Touch 61 Keys

			Misc. Left Chamber		Misc. Right Chamber
				Xylophone Orchetra Bells Chimes Toy Counter Tibia Trem General Trem Swell Shades 12 actuators		Chrysoglott Vox Trem General Trem Swell Shades 12 actuators
	Pedals
		1st Touch 32 Pedals 2nd Touch 32 Pedals
	Controls
		Stop Tab Rails Memory Pistons
*This is a working list until we can verify the stops, traps and toy counter.

The Saenger Robert Morton Console.
Dolton McAlpin playing.

After 40 years as a "Movie Palace" - the Hattiesburg Saenger was closed, and with the demise of the Saenger Amusement Company, the theater was given to The University of Southern Mississippi, who had planned to convert the theater into a performing arts center. For whatever reason - that conversion never took place - and the University eventually deeded the Saenger to the City of Hattiesburg. The Theater, no longer being used, nor taken care of - fell into disrepair. The Robert Morton Organ suffered damage from leaks and other issues. Finally - the organ was sold to a private citizen and moved to Meridian where it was put into storage. Around 1978 - Mayor Bobby Chain undertook a modest renovation project, as funds were quite limited. However - one major accomplishment during that effort - the original Robert Morton was located, repurchased and had it repaired and re-installed by members of the Magnolia Chapter of the the American Theater Organ Society.

Working to restore the main power to the organ and it's various parts.

Getting the 3 horsepower Spencer Turbine back in operation. After all - without wind - a LOT of wind - the pipes won't speak.

Then again - these pipes are going to need a lot of work before they speak as they should. These are some of the 12 Tuba "extensions" to the Trumpet Rank.

More of the Tuba / Trumpet Pipes

Diapason pipes. .

and more pipes...

Flutes Mostly Vox Humana Rank

Refitting and installing the pipework.

Work crew taking a break

Tommy checking the swell shades.

Pipes populating the chests.

Don Mays listening for leaks and how each pipe speaks.

Traps (left) chimes (behind) and 12 flutes.

Tuning pipes...

And more tuning...

Traps / percussion

Glockenspiel

Saenger in 1999 as the major restoration project was underway.

In the late 1990s - a 7.5 million renovation and restoration was began which would bring the Saenger back to it's former grandier. The Robert Morton is now played regularly.