The Bluegrass Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (BG-ATOS) needs help with their project to restore the Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ (opus 562) and return it back into its original home at the Kentucky Theatre. The organ, with its eight ranks of pipes, was an important part of the Theatre when it opened in 1922 in downtown Lexington, Ky. Bringing it back home will both return a piece of the Theatre that’s been missing for oh so many years and also provide the Theatre with the opportunity to expand and enhance its offerings to the Lexington community.

The organ proudly entertained the patrons who attended the popular silent movies back in the day in the majestic 816-seat Kentucky Theatre. The Theatre itself has had multiple restorations, enhancements, and upgrades and is currently a treasured part of the entertainment fabric in Central Kentucky.

Unfortunately, a flood and the advent of “talkies” spelled the end of the Wurlitzer’s place in the Theatre. It disappeared into storage for many years. In the late '80s, it was saved from being sold for parts by a local Lexington businessman who installed it in his home. After his passing, it sat idle for years until local organ enthusiasts located it and identified the goal of restoring it.

The organ was eventually purchased by BG-ATOS, and the chapter now has all of the original components of the organ: the console, the wind chests, the pipes, the swell shades, even the blower stored in a local workshop where the work to restore it is progressing.

Restoring a pipe organ is a massive undertaking with a great number of individual tasks that have to be performed. Many of these tasks can be performed by the chapter members, but there are also a significant number that require professional skills. These professional services tasks are the ones which will require funding.

Members of the Chapter, who are all volunteers, are working to restore the organ by replacing the leather and felt components which have deteriorated over time and also cleaning, polishing, and refurbishing all of the wood and metal components. There will be 8 ranks of pipes, 597 in total, in the restored organ, so while many of the tasks don’t take a lot of skill, doing them 597 times takes a lot of time.

This fundraiser will allow us to start the aspects of the project which require professional services in conjunction with the activities of the chapter members.

The money raised will be used to:

1) Restore the 5 tremulants

2) Evaluate and repair the electric motor and blower that provides the air supply for the organ.

3) Restore the Toy Counter which provides many of the special sound effects

4) Refurbish the Percussion components (Sleigh Bells, Chrysoglott, Xylophone, Chimes, Glockenspiel, etc.)

5) Restore, tune, and voice the 597 pipes

6) Other tasks where professional services are needed.

This is a historic instrument made special by the fact that we are going to great lengths to use the original wood and metal components as much as possible in the restoration.

BG-ATOS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. There are no paid staff members. All work by the chapter members is done on a volunteer basis.

We would appreciate your consideration for this project.

Thank you in advance.

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PROJECT STATUS as of January 2025

COMPLETED TASKS:

The components of the organ that have been completed include:

Console

Primary & Secondary valves

Regulators

Relay

REMAINING TASKS:

Five Rank Wind Chest

Three Rank Wind Chest

Eight Offset chests

Five Tremulants

Swell Shades

Blower/Air Supply

Wind lines

Pipes

Percussion

Wind Chimes

Marimba

Sleigh Bells

Xylophone

Glockenspiel

Chrysoglott

Upright Piano

Bass Drum

Toy Counter

Tap Cymbal

Snare Drum

Tom Tom

Castanets

Surf

Horse Hooves

Bird Whistle

Fire Gong

Klaxon

Triangle

Wood Block

Boat Whistle

Installation in the Theatre