G.M. Buck Pipe Organs
1994

The organ was originally built as a "three-manual special" for the Stanley Theater in Jersey City, New Jersey. After three decades, the organ and theater fell into disrepair, and the instrument was placed in storage. In the mid-1970's, it was purchased by the Roaring Twenties Pizza Parlor in Grand Rapids. The restaurant, which later became Good Time Charley's, was the organ's home from 1977-1991. Several local enthusiasts wanted the organ to stay in Grand Rapids, and an "Organ Transplant Committee" was formed to raise funds. At the same time, plans were being made for a new Grand Rapids Public Museum, and it was decided to install the organ in the 250-seat Meijer Theater. Over 500 donors and twenty installation volunteers contributed funds and time to save, restore, and install the Wurlitzer.

Improvement since the original installation include: (1) removal of the dark cloth covering the swell shades, (2) creation of openings above the chamber windows to allow more sound into the room, (3) removal of the dark grilles from the percussion chambers, (4) relocation of the marimba-harp, chimes, and xylophone to the rear wall of the theater, (5) reinstallation of the Pedal Diaphone pipes which had been separated from the organ in the past, and (6) restoration of the keyboards.