C R A T O S

The Iowa Theatre Building, home of Theatre Cedar Rapids, opened on February 26th, 2010 to a black tie audience that filled the house.  TCR staff have put together some incredible videos of the work involved with restoring and updating the building.  The TCR team has done an incredible job of restoring some of the original features of the 1928 theatre, while making it more flexible for their production and patron needs. 

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.

CRATOS extends our deepest sympathies to to family of George Baldwin, who passed away on Saturday, December 26th, 2009 at the age of 90.

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.

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.

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

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.

James W. Olver, 70, of 1403 4th Street S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Friday, February 27, 2009, in his home following a long illness. Services: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Dr. William Jamison. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2009, at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Hanford Post #5.

Survivors include his wife, Carol; daughter, Annette (Kevin) Hunt of Cedar Rapids; grandson, Josh; sister, Doris Miller; and his beloved dog Nikki.

James was preceded in death by his parents; and son, David.

Born on September 25, 1938, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, James was the son of Earl and Clara (Erickson) Olver. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1967. On October 15, 1960, he was united in marriage to Carol Jean Bye in Cedar Rapids. James worked for Iowa Manufacturing prior to becoming a test technician for Rockwell Collins until his retirement in 2001.

James was a lifetime member of Eden United Church of Christ, a charter member of CRATOS and loved electronics, trains, boating and science fiction.

A memorial fund has been established in James’ memory or donations may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 2740 1st Avenue N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Hospice of Mercy for their loving care.

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.

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.

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.

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!