Rhinestone Barton Under Water

Since the consoles of both the Paramount’s Wurlitzer and TCR (Iowa Theatre) Rhinestone Barton were damaged beyond repair in the flood of June 2008, CRATOS and CRBI (Cedar Rapids Barton, Inc) have engaged in joint efforts focused on the preservation and restoration of both consoles. Subsequent inspections of both installations have revealed varying levels of damage caused by the post-flood conditions of the buildings. With the Paramount restoration plans extending out several years the focus has been on bringing one of the two original installation theatre organs back through a careful restoration. The Rhinestone Barton has started its journey towards a full restoration, with some technological updates which will help ensure it continues to provide entertainment for generations to come.

CRBI has focused on the Rhinestone Barton restoration and funding plans, and after many months of meetings, inspections, proposals and interaction with state and federal agencies has been awarded the funding to fully repair and restore the organ. The Cedar Rapids Gazette published an update in the Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. The article can be found here.

Paul Montague, president of CRBI, has provided additional details of the plan to restore the organ:

• The console of the Rhinestone Barton has been assessed and determined to be a complete loss, as it was submerged in grey water to the third manual.
• Residual moisture damage to the solo chamber was extensive, rusting all ferrous metal, hardening leather, and delaminating chest components.
• Cedar Rapids Barton, Inc., the non-profit corporation that owns the instrument, has worked with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State of Iowa, and Federal and State historians to develop a plan and secure funding for complete restoration of the instrument.
• Ken Crome of the Crome Organ Company in Reno, Nevada, has begun the construction of a replica console.
  • The console will be fitted with a Uniflex combination action.
  • On its return to Iowa, the printed fabric and rhinestone banding will be applied to the console restoring it to its original 1928 appearance. Ajram Importers of Cedar Rapids have located fabric that matches the original black covering.
  • The original pattern of glass glitter has been preserved, and will be applied to the fabric by Monroe Screen Printers.
    
• The contract for restoration of the contents of the solo chamber has been awarded to Weiler and Associates of Chicago.
  • Removal is to begin in January of 2010.
  • All components will be restored to their original condition.
• The Barton lift is being replaced by Theatre Cedar Rapids with a new scissors lift that will extend from the floor of the pit to stage level, greatly increasing the visibility of the console when it is raised to concert position.
• The total cost of the restoration project, funded by the FEMA, the NEH, and the State of Iowa is $240,000.
• All work is expected to be completed by spring of 2011.

Local, state and national news organizations were onsite to spread the word of the danger the organ was in due to the flooding, and the efforts to pull the console from the theatre at the last minute as the stage became increasingly unstable.

Here are some of the many reports submitted:

June 17: CNN iReport by CRATOS

June 18: The Gazette (Cedar Rapids) and KCRG (Cedar Rapids) send reporters, photographers, and video crews onsite to document the incredible efforts underway by CRATOS, Paramount theatre management, Coonrod and Altorfer to save the console.

June 18: CNN follow-up on iReport with a live on-scene interview (wait for it).

June 19: The Gazette’s Adam Bell’s report for the print edition of the paper, with some positive updates to the story.

These reports, and the follow-up reports that will document and publicize the activities CRATOS, Paramount management, and the City of Cedar Rapids now undertakes in saving or reconstructing the console, and the efforts still needed in the pipe chambers, will help keep this magnificent organ and theatre in the spotlight.

Please send any links to other related reports you’ve found to: cratos.info@gmail.com

If you have stories of the Paramount, the Wurlitzer, and the former Iowa Theatre and the Rhinestone Barton, please send them along and we’ll publish them in a special section on our site.