Barton Organs
1928

Jim Stettner on April 15th, 2021:
Transplanted note from duplicate account: **Database Manager on June 14, 2015:** Updated through online information from David Bohn. -- Contrary to past claims, the Barton was completely new and contained nothing from the Wurlitzer that preceded it.

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Jim Stettner on April 15th, 2021:
Updated through online information from Richard C Greene. -- When the Al. Ringling Theatre was built in 1915 a Wurlitzer Hope-Jones theatre organ was installed. The Wurlitzer console was located in the center of the orchestra pit and had a roll player. <br>In 1928 alterations were made to the theatre interior that included replacing the seats with wider ones and eliminating the front seating row to facilitate increasing the size of the orchestra pit. Included in the alterations was the replacement of the Wurlitzer organ with a Barton organ. The new organ was designed and built specifically for the Al. Ringling Theatre. Considering the speed at which the theatre was erected it-s unlikely that the original organ underwent such planning. What became of the original Wurlitzer is unknown.<br>The (Barton) organ console is located in the left-hand side of the orchestra pit and its colorful red and gold decoration is designed to match the theatre interior. The console is on a lift that can raise it (and the organist) up for prominent public view, almost to the height of the stage. When a movie or show was about to begin the organist would press a button to lower the organ down into the orchestra pit. --Information and photo from Bryant Hazard of the theatre.

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Database Manager on February 8th, 2014:
Transplanted note from duplicate account. **Database Manager on October 09, 2013:** This entry describes alterations to an existing organ. Identified by Daniel Peterson, based on personal knowledge of the organ. -- Visit the Al Ringling Theatre online (http://www.alringling.com/) for history regarding the original Wurlitzer installation and the current Barton organ that is currently in use in the restored theatre.

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Database Manager on October 30th, 2004:
Builder's Nameplate: Barton

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Database Manager on October 30th, 2004:
Status Note: There 1992.

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Database Manager on October 30th, 2004:
Unaltered in original location.