C R A T O S » Wurlitzer

Paramount Restoration Updates

nmarple — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:14:21 +0000

Restoration plans for the Paramount Theatre will be opened to the public this week. The project, set to kick-off in the spring of 2011, includes the restoration of the Wurlitzer theatre organ and a total replacement of the original console.

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

Paramount Restoration Project

nmarple — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:22:39 +0000

The City of Cedar Rapids has published detailed information on the restoration plans for the Paramount Theatre. CRATOS remains enthusiastic and committed to assisting the city in the project. Check the CRATOS website and the city’s project site for more updates.

Barton and Wurltzer Restoration Update

nmarple — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:48:05 +0000

The Gazette published an update in the Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. The article can be found here.

Paramount Theatre Restoration Update

nmarple — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:45:05 +0000

After an extensive selection process, the City of Cedar Rapids has selected OPN Architects to lead the historical restoration efforts. As reported in The Gazette, this step in the process is an important one, and recognizes the both the importance of not only restoring the theatre, but doing so in a way which balances historical preservation and the introduction of necessary updates to the buildling. CRATOS will continue to be involved in an advisory capacity on the restoration of the Wurlitzer theatre organ. The restoration master plan includes historic recreation of the organ’s console which was lost to the flood waters in June 2008.

The re-opening date for the theatre is not yet finalized.

Paramount Theatre Restoration Approved

nmarple — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:43:13 +0000

CRATOS is pleased to be able to report that the Cedar Rapids City Council, on Feb 4, 2009, voted to restore the flood-damaged Paramount Theatre. The restoration funding is inclusive of the theatre and the organ. The Cedar Rapids Gazette provided the update on this monumental decision.

More updates will be provided as details are released.

Paramount Theatre Floods Again

nmarple — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:19:41 +0000

Just over 6 months since sustaining flooding from the Cedar River, the Paramount Theatre has flooded once again. This time a broken water pipe, apparently left unchecked, caused the building’s sub-basement, basement and orchestra pit to fill with water.

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.

2008 Annual CRATOS Membership Meeting

nmarple — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:01:13 +0000

CRATOS members gathered for the 2008 annual membership meeting, the first full meeting of the organization since the June 2008 flooding severely damaged the Wurlitzer and Barton organs.

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.

Roomates for the First Time in 80 Years

nmarple — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:04:56 +0000

On August 2, 2008, the strangest thing since the Great Flood of 2008 happened in Cedar Rapids, IA. CRATOS members, assisted by the Rockwell Retiree Volunteers, and The History Center, moved the Wurlitzer and Barton consoles into the new organ restoration room. For the first time in the history of Cedar Rapids, two completely unique theatre organ consoles sat face to face, sharing in the same fate.

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!

CRATOS Fundraising Efforts Continue

nmarple — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:19:06 +0000

With the conclusion of the ATOS National Convention in Indianapolis, CRATOS has received word that a “Pass the Hat” fundraising effort during the final banquet help raise funds for our cause. We are very appreciative of the efforts of ATOS and the generous members attending the national convention.

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

CRATOS Speaks at ATOS 2008 National Convention

nmarple — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:58:32 +0000

Members of the CRATOS Board of Directors made the journey to Indianapolis over the July 4th weekend to help raise worldwide awareness to the impact of the June 2008 flooding in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Ferreter, Kelzenberg and Marple attended the July 6, 2008 annual membership meeting at the request of Ken Double, ATOS President and CEO. At the start of the meeting, attended by an estimated 200 members of ATOS from around the world, Ken Double asked CRATOS to speak to the membership on the condition of the Mighty Wurlitzer and Rhinestone Barton organs of Cedar Rapids.

Mr. Ferreter expressed that “many of the arts and entertainment venues of Cedar Rapids were devastated by the flood. The Paramount Theatre sustained damage from 8 1/2 feet of water at stage level”. He went on to say that CRATOS will need the help of the international theatre organ community to bring the Wurlitzer and Barton organs back to the public.

Colonel Jack Moelmann, a long-time friend of CRATOS and a performer at the Paramount Theatre’s Wurlitzer as recently as 2001, joined Mr. Ferreter and presented a donation of $1,000 to CRATOS in support of the organs and the chapter.

Prior to the annual meeting, Darren Ferreter (President), David Kelzenberg (Vice President) and Neal Marple (Secretary) attended a July 5 concert by Walt Strony, another long-time friend of CRATOS, which featured the world premiere of the new Allen Organ Company STR-4 Four-Manual Walt Strony Signature Quantum™ Organ. The concert was held in the Indiana Theatre, Terre Haute, where over 100 local residents joined the mass of ATOS convention attendees in hearing a theatre organ in this beautiful theatre for the first time in many years.