Unseen photos of famous Liverpool music empire behind the scenes
It's now been over 20 years since the family business ceased trading
Unseen photos offer a behind the scenes glimpse into a famous Liverpool music empire that started 195 years ago.
The ECHO recently took a look back at Rushworth and Dreaper, which was founded in the city back in 1828. It was the Rushworth family who had originally been furniture and coffin makers in Yorkshire, and then in the carpentry trade in Manchester, who went on to make their name on Merseyside as organ makers.
Starting life in a little shop in Pudsey Street, Rushworths was founded by William Rushworth and the business later moved to Islington, before settling in Whitechapel, with headquarters also being on St Anne Street. Later branching out into selling musical instruments, at one point Rushworth and Dreaper was the second largest organ maker in the world and turned over around £1m annually.
READ MORE: Scenes from Liverpool's old Marks & Spencer on Church Street
READ MORE: Famous Liverpool music empire started in a little shop 195 years ago
The business saw five generations of the Rushworth family work for the company before the 174-year-old world- famous Liverpool organ works ceased trading in 2002. It's now been over 20 years since the famous family business ceased trading, but its legacy lives on in Liverpool and beyond.
These photos, courtesy of our archives Mirrorpix, have been unseen for years and capture everything from behinds the scenes of the business to people who worked there, awards ceremonies and more. A trip back in time, these are bound to stir some memories.
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Radios and radiograms and housed in the large show room at Rushworth's. Circa 1959
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Sampling one of the electronic organs at Rushworth's, Liverpool. September 12, 1977
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Mrs James Rushworth, wife of the chairman of Rushworth's Music House and Rushworth & Dreaper Pipe Organ Builders, presents 25 year service awards, engraved electric carriage clocks and 25 year club ties. Left to right, Mr John Salmon, Mrs Wendy Withers, Mr James Rushworth, Mrs James Rushworth, Mr D H S Pain, Mr Colin Lane and Mr James Gallagher, Mr John Salmon. July 25, 1986
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The tables are turned on Mr James Rushworth, Managing Director of Rushworth & Dreaper, at the presentation of long service awards at the Athenaeum. Employees make a presentation to him to mark his 40 years with the company. Pictured, left to right, Mr James Rushworth, Mrs Rushworth, Mr Arthur Lee and Mr Reginald Barnett. January 18, 1973
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Rushworth & Dreaper, the main organ workshop in the new premises in St Anne Street, Liverpool. January 14, 1975
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Mrs Ada Newman receiving her clock from Mrs James Rushworth, for 20 years service to Rushworth's Music House, Liverpool. Mrs Newman is executive director (records, tapes and compact discs). November 7, 1984
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Presentations are made to long serving staff members of Rushworth and Dreaper at the Athenaeum. Mrs James Rushworth made the three awards to the employees with 50 years service. Pictured, left to right, are Tommy Alcock, Arthur Roberts, Mrs Rushworth, James Rushworth (Managing Director) and Arthur Chambers. Liverpool. January 18, 1973
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Santa sing song, four members of staff from Rushworths before the Christmas parade in Liverpool. November 24, 1988
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Mrs W Rushworth presenting an electric clock to Mr J Yeats who has served 47 years with the firm of Messrs Rushworth and Dreapers, Liverpool. Other employees also received presents, their total years of service being 2391 years. On the right is Mr James Rushworth, Managing Director of the firm. July 1946
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Mrs Rushworth performing the opening ceremony at the new Rushworth & Dreaper premises in Whitechapel, Liverpool. May 11, 1960
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Rushworth & Dreaper in Liverpool. Work in the Voiceing Room with Chief Reed Voicer Jack Cahill (left) and Chief Flue Voicer, Michael Butler (right). 14th January 14, 1975
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David Rushworth, is looking forward to opening his music shop, Rushworths Music House, on Sundays. September 5, 1996
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David Rushworth, is looking forward to opening his music shop, Rushworths Music House, on Sundays. September 5, 1996
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Clare Campbell (left) and Ivy Werir Ikpeme during their three week work experience at Rushworth's in Whitechapel, Liverpool, Merseyside. January 24, 1991
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Garth Hennie (right) with Alan McGinnity in their repair shop at Rushworths, Liverpool. They have been made fellows of the Institute of Musical Instrument Technology, after a combined apprenticeship of 38 years. They work for Rushworths Music House in Liverpool. March 9, 1988
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The Chairman of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Dorothy Gavin, visits Rushworths Music House to mark the firm's 160th anniversary. She is pictured here with guitar salesman Greg Davies (seated), Alastair Rushworth (Managing Director, Rushworth Organ Builders) and right, James Rushworth (Chairman). November 9, 1988
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A family celebration for the Rushworth family as Mr Alistair Rushworth, Managing Director of Rushworth & Dreaper Pipe Organ Builders, left, and brother William David, Managing Director Rushworths Music House, Liverpool and branches, celebrate 25 years service with the 160 year old family business. They are pictured receiving clocks from their parents Mr & Mrs James Rushworth. July 18, 1989
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James Rushworth, 75, is the fourth generation music store maestro at Rushworth & Dreaper. In the beginning (1828) there was William I. Then William II. Then James. Now 160 years on Rushworth's in Liverpool's Whitechapel is the largest music house in Europe as well as the largest organ builders in the UK. November 14, 1988
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The chairman and managing director of Rushworth's Music House, Liverpool, Mr James Rushworth (centre) looks on as Mrs Margaret Rushworth presents Mr Joe Broomby with a watch to mark his 50 years service with the company. Also presented with awards were (left) Mr Alec Bielby (25 years) and Mrs Jane Tipping (20 years). January 27, 1977
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Miss Brenda Muller, Executive Director and Sheet Music Manager for the Liverpool based Rushworths Music House, celebrates her completion of 25 years with the company. She is presented with a clock by Mr & Mrs James Rushworth. July 18, 1989
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Mr Reg Barnett is presented with a long service award after 50 years with Rushworth & Dreaper as manager of the company's organ works. Pictured, Mr Barnett receiving his award from Mr and Mrs J Rushworth. The Athenaeum Club, Liverpool. January 16, 1975
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