Hall of Mirrors - Sept. 2010 (courtesy of The Gazette)

The Gazette has a report in today’s edition summarizing the plans:

http://gazetteonline.com/breaking-news/2010/09/07/massive-paramount-restoration-begins-this-spring-sneak-preview-thursday

In addition, the City of Cedar Rapids maintains a restoration information site for the entire project:

http://www.cedar-rapids.org/city-news/announcements/2010/Pages/ParamountTheatreRestoration.aspx

The absence of Cedar Rapids’ two magnificant theatre pipe organs was no obstacle for CRATOS in sponsoring a “Pedals, Pipes and Pizza” young persons pipe organ discovery presentation.  The event, organized by CRATOS President Darren Ferreter and Treasurer Ralph MacDowell, took place at First Presbyterian Church with 13 area young piano and organ students in attendance. 

Those in attendance, which included not only students but also parents and area musicians, were treated to organist Brett Valliant
presiding over First Presbyterian’s 1971, 3 manual /51 rank Reuter organ.  Mr. Valliant presented a wide variety of music, ranging from Guilmant to Williams, showing off the many sounds of the organ, including some close to a theatre organ to remind people of the two organs that are undergoing or awaiting restoration.

The students were invited to step up to the console to try their hand at the organ and receive guidance from Mr. Valliant.  Students, parents and other guests were also invited into the pipe chambers – normally off limits – for a guided tour while the organ was being played.  Darren Ferreter and Neal Marple (organist of FPC and Secretary of CRATOS) provided participants with a behind the scenes look at the workings of the organ.

At the conclusion of the event, participants were treated to pizza and benefited from one last chance to speak with Mr. Valliant and members of CRATOS about both classical and theatre pipe organs. 

CRATOS would like to thank First Presbyterian Church for the use of their sanctuary and wonderful organ.  The event was a great success, and we look forward to the opportunity to present another “Pedals, Pipes and Pizza” event next year.

Photos from the event can be viewed here.

Theatre organ enthusisists take note:  there remains a reserved spot in the new orchestra pit for the console and lift, and the pipe chambers are intact.  TCR even restored the original chandeliers that hang in front of the chambers.

Cedar Rapids Barton Inc and CRATOS continue to work on the Rhinestone Barton restoration project.  We’ll have more updates on that project in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, enjoy the coverage of the Iowa Theatre Buidling reopening by going to the Theatre Cedar Rapids website.

 

TCR (Theatre Cedar Rapids) is holding a Grand Reopening on February 26, 2010.  Although the Rhinestone Barton will not be ready for re-installation for many months, TheatreCR has made preparations for the organ in it’s overall plan for restoration of the theatre.  TCR management has created a series of videos highlighting the restoration and re-opening efforts, including a view of the reconfigured orchestra pit complete with a special spot for the Rhinestone Barton console.

George was a founding member of CRATOS, having presided for many years as treasurer of the organization.  George and the Paramount Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer were a fixture of the community for decades, providing music before films and other events.

More updates will be provided as details are released.

Fortunately this time the water was clean, but still damaging to an already flooded and closed building.  The City of Cedar Rapids has not yet made any decision on restoration of the theatre and the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ.  The building remains closed and under minimal maintenance for the winter until a decision can be made regarding the future of this priceless landmark building.

Members present enjoyed food, music, and conversation prior to the start of the annual meeting.  Father Joe Roost provided entertainment on an Allen R211 donated for the occasion by chapter president Darren Ferreter.   After the meal, prepared by Jackie MacVey, Darren Ferreter and Ralph McDowell, the meeting commenced.

Darren Ferreter took the membership through a review of pre-flood activities, including the April 2008 Pipe Organ Encounter with organist Steven Ball.   After reviewing the business at hand, Darren presented a report on the experiences since June 12, 2008, when the floodwaters of the Red Cedar River innundated downtown Cedar Rapids and changed the focus of CRATOS from preservation to recovery and restoration.

Many of the photos found in the CRATOS Gallery were displayed, along with updates on both CRBI (Cedar Rapids Barton Inc.), CRATOS, and available information from the City of Cedar Rapids on the fate of the city-owned Wurlitzer and Paramount Theatre.

Special recognition for their involvement in the theatre organ, and with the Paramount’s Mighty Wurlitzer in particular, were presented to two long-standing members of CRATOS.  George Baldwin and Jim Olver (unable to attend) were provided with commerative plaques in recognition of their service and support.

The meeting closed with the challenges of the organization clearly identified.  All members and the public must come together to ensure that the Mighty Wurlitzer and Rhinestone Barton are restored and returned to their original homes so that they might entertain future generations and restore Cedar Rapids to it’s unique place as one of the few cities left in the world with two theatre organs in their original homes.

The Paramount’s Balaban 1A Wurlitzer console, severely damaged by the June 2008 flooding, has been in temporary storage since June 18th, 2008.  Getting the remaining console pieces into a climate controlled environment was key in preserving the remaining portions for future restoration work.

The Iowa (TCR) Rhinestone Barton was moved to a warehouse section of The History Center several weeks ago, awaiting the completion of preparations on the organ restoration room.  With the major preparations completed it was time to move both consoles into the same room for the first time ever.

RCRV and The History Center have worked steadily to convert the former 1940s car dealership building into the new headquarters for the console restorations of both instruments.  With original tin ceilings still largerly intact, a full showroom front on 2nd Avenue and 6th Street SE, air conditioning, and plenty of space, CRATOS and CRBI (Cedar Rapids Barton Incorporated) have a new, temporary home from which to launch the next chapter in the lives of both organs.

CRATOS and CRBI are grateful to The History Center, RCRV, and Mike Wilson for their efforts in securing and converting the new, temporary home for the organ consoles.  The next chapter in the fate of these incredible, unique instruments is about to begin!

The Barton console was damaged by the floodwaters, but the impact to the organ was not as visible and dramatic as the Paramount’s Wurlitzer.  The Barton console, hit with 4 feet of floodwater, remained standing on the 4-post Barton lift unlike it’s sister at the Paramount which was toppled over and tossed around, subjected to 8.5 feet of water and weakened significantly by the experience.

On Tuesday, July 15, 2008, CRATOS, CRBI, Theatre Cedar Rapids and Coonrod Crane Service staged a full blown rescue effort for the damaged console.   The console needed to come out in order for theatre repairs to continue.  With the stage already partially dismantled, the console was reinforced and secured in preparation for the removal.  Coonrod maneuvered a long-reaching crane through the stage door and lifted the organ into the air.  The volunteers onsite guided the console across the stage to a waiting platform.

With the console safely out of the theatre, it was lifted into the bed of a pickup truck and carefully taken to it’s new temporary home at The History Center.  CRATOS and CRBI are extremely thankful for the hard work of the volunteers and Coonrod.  Special thanks to  Jim White and The History Center for generously providing a space where evaluation and restoration activities can be undertaken, and to Mike Wilson and the Rockwell Retirees group for their encouragement and dedication to seeing the Barton console moved to it’s new home.

The recovery effort was made possible through a generous grant from the National Endowment of the Humanties (NEH).

With the permission of the City of Cedar Rapids, the Wurlitzer console’s remaining parts will be relocated to The History Center to join the Barton.  There the two will stay while fundraising, evaluation, restoration and recovery efforts are undertaken.

Photos of the Barton console recovery and other related items can be found in the CRATOS photo gallery.

 We still have a long way to go however.  Any donation, big or small, is helpful and will allow CRATOS to continue moving forward with restoration and recovery efforts for both the Barton and Wurlitzer organs.  We are working with the City of Cedar Rapids to provide guidance on the Wurlitzer, and the efforts to remove the Barton console and prepare it for cleaning and restoration activities are in full swing. 

You can help CRATOs by donating in many different ways.  CRATOS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your donation may be tax deductable.

Use the “Donate” link to the right to utilize our secure PayPal donation service. 

CRATOS is auctioning a copy of Scott Foppiano’s 2003 recording of the Rhinestone Barton, “Back in the Black” on eBay.  Check out our auction, bid to win, and help CRATOS by winning a copy of this incredible recording.

You can also donate to CRATOS and help us in our goal to save these two unique cultural treasure by sending a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order to:

The Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society
PO Box 611
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-0611
US