Pipe Organ Database

"In 2002 the nonprofit Chevalier Theatre Organ Society was created with a mission to repair, restore and install the organ, and raise all necessary funds. Dorothy Bromage, who had relocated to Billerica, Mass., was elected as its first president, a role she would fill for more than 10 years.

Over the nearly two decades since its founding, the organization has devoted thousands of volunteer hours to the project, and raised nearly $200,000 to purchase new parts and hire organ restoration professionals to handle some of the more intricate work.

Having recently reached two important project milestones, the Organ Society is pointing toward 2022 — the 100th anniversary of the Wurlitzer’s original installation – for its Chevalier Theatre debut. Restoration of the organ’s console and pedalboard was just completed by chief technician Richard Pelland at his Pelland Pipe Organ shop in Saugus. And the toy counter, which features the “bells and whistles” that are another theater pipe organ trademark, has been refurbished by William Catanesye of W. Catanesye & Co. of Malden." -- from Medford Transcript, wickedlocal.com, retrieved 5 Feb 2021 (see website links fro full article)

This Wurlitzer Unit Orchestra was "introduced to much acclaim at the B.F. Keith Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, on Nov. 27, 1922." From an article describing it's history and installation in a new theater space. The theatre was demolished in 1967.

A local organ enthusiast, Dave Bowers, inquired about the long unused instrument, whose presence was unknown to the owner. Bowers was told he could have the Wurlitzer for $4,000 — provided he could remove it before the wrecking ball started swinging. He snagged the organ and had it reinstalled it in a specially made building in nearby Troy, Ohio, where it remained until 1986 when it was donated to the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society in Maine. After some 10 years, a suitable home in Maine couldn't be found. In 2002 the nonprofit Chevalier Theatre Organ Society was created with a mission to repair, restore and install the organ, and raise all necessary funds to install it in the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Massachusetts. The restoration and installation is ongoing and expected to be completed by 2022. -- Information from the Medford Transcript, wickedlocal.com retrieved 5 Feb 2021. Full article linked under websites