Back in 2011 I learned about the Lowes Kings Wonder Morton console, etc. and the premise of it possibly being installed in the Wheaton, if restoration commenced.. I posted that it should rather be returned to it’s original location in the Kings. I just learned that two months after my posts that it’s owners DID arrange for it’s return to New York! Hurray!
Leon Russell in person was at the Beacon on January 12, 2014. Check the new website for future shows. I have added new pictures to the photo gallery of the restored auditorium, courtesy of the Beacon Theater
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57594651/wis-mans-basement-holds-ultimate-home-theater/
The original 5 manual Wurlitzer from the Michigan can be seen here in a basement decorated like a movie palace; working and playing!
I have recently added some digital photos of the Byrd interior that shows the stunning interior after EIGHTY FIVE YEARS! Unrestored and still beautiful! Enjoy
I know of a complete Wurlitzer 3 manual nine rank organ that is available if the Flynn is interested. The owner is very old and needs to get it moved as soon as possible.He grew old before he could complete his project. It is not assembled and would be a wonderful addition to the theater. It was originally sized for a 900 seat house so the unit could be compatible. the entire history of the unit is available. You must come to Virginia to move it.
There was a previous Colonial that was taken down to be replaced by the one mentioned here.See page 22 of the book “Celebrate Richmond Theater” compiled by Elizabeth and Wayne Dementi and written by Katheryn Fuller-Seeley. This book shows many fine pictures of Richmond Theaters of the past, including but not limited to the afformentioned and also the Bijou that was in the next block on theater row!
Let everybody understand, I like the Wheaton Grand. I would grimace at seeing this movie palace wrecked. However, being a preservationist, I would truly appreciate the return of the remaining Wonder Morton components to the Kings, if the parties found a way to accomplish this. In the event the Wheaton Grand is saved, there ARE other theater organs out there, awaiting a new home. In fact, I know of a virtually complete 3m Wurlitzer right in my home town, that is available!
The original 3-9 Wurlitzer lays disassembled in an unfinished theater room at a private residence within spitting distance so to speak, of the Brookland! The owner of the organ, is rather well known around here, but he has grown ill in his older years, and likely will never finish the project. I visited him last fall, and have about sixty pictures of the organ. It’s apart, right in the room he personally built on his home, specifically intended for it, that has chambers, swell shade openings, etc.that he himself made, when he built the house, many years ago.The Wurlitzer presently lacks its toy counter and remote piano, but is otherwise complete.It was moved early in it’s life to a Church on Broad Street, right on Theater Row, which later was demolished, along with MOST of Theater Row; in the name of “urban renewal” He saved the organ and personally disassembled it and moved it to his home.He was a wholesale jewelry/ watch reapairman with a shop, for many a year, next door to the Byrd Theater, on Cary Street. In the day, he helped maintain the Byrd’s 4-17 Wurlitzer, which, incidentally still plays EVERY Saturday night, with it’s original relay, as it has for about 83 years! I know, because, being 59 and widowed, my Saturday night fun is usually going to the Byrd, and hanging out in the projection room with Bill and the house organist, Bob Gulledge, before the show. I contribute whatever I can, to the survival of the original installation “Mighty Wurlitzer”, at the Byrd. Now, that 3-9; from the Brookland, needs to be re-leathered, cleaned, refinished, and assembled, in order to speak again. Sad it could not return to the Brookland, but its so highly doubtful, that theatre will EVER re-open, I just wish he would DONATE it to a movie palace in need of a theater organ, so it may be enjoyed again. I have kept his name confidential, although everybody in the industry around here, knows exactly of whom I speak, as so he will not be disturbed unduly, in the winter of his life. He’s a wonderful man, and has so much knowledge that will go with him, when it’s his time,to go to Heaven. When I visited him, his knowledge, skills, and passion for theater organs awe struck me, and has earned my respect, and remembrance, for as long as I live.
the Capitol was razed about a decade or so ago, as was Julians right next door, both situated directly across from the old RF&P train station, which still stands, and is now a museum.
I want to hear the Wurlitzer! They nearly ever use it!
Back in 2011 I learned about the Lowes Kings Wonder Morton console, etc. and the premise of it possibly being installed in the Wheaton, if restoration commenced.. I posted that it should rather be returned to it’s original location in the Kings. I just learned that two months after my posts that it’s owners DID arrange for it’s return to New York! Hurray!
179,000 sounds dirt cheap for this beautiful theater especially in light of it’s recent digital conversion!
The main image should be changed as well as the official web site address. see http://thebeacontheatreva.com/
Leon Russell in person was at the Beacon on January 12, 2014. Check the new website for future shows. I have added new pictures to the photo gallery of the restored auditorium, courtesy of the Beacon Theater
Beacon Theatre is NOW OPEN! see the website at http://thebeacontheatreva.com/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57594651/wis-mans-basement-holds-ultimate-home-theater/ The original 5 manual Wurlitzer from the Michigan can be seen here in a basement decorated like a movie palace; working and playing!
The chandelier’s colors can be changed from the light board in the projection room along with the house lights too. the light show can be stunning!
Wonderful popcorn here!
I have recently added some digital photos of the Byrd interior that shows the stunning interior after EIGHTY FIVE YEARS! Unrestored and still beautiful! Enjoy
I know of a complete Wurlitzer 3 manual nine rank organ that is available if the Flynn is interested. The owner is very old and needs to get it moved as soon as possible.He grew old before he could complete his project. It is not assembled and would be a wonderful addition to the theater. It was originally sized for a 900 seat house so the unit could be compatible. the entire history of the unit is available. You must come to Virginia to move it.
It’s about time that someone put this theater on here.How about adding other downtown theaters to cinema treasures.
The conversion to digital has been completed.
There was a previous Colonial that was taken down to be replaced by the one mentioned here.See page 22 of the book “Celebrate Richmond Theater” compiled by Elizabeth and Wayne Dementi and written by Katheryn Fuller-Seeley. This book shows many fine pictures of Richmond Theaters of the past, including but not limited to the afformentioned and also the Bijou that was in the next block on theater row!
Let everybody understand, I like the Wheaton Grand. I would grimace at seeing this movie palace wrecked. However, being a preservationist, I would truly appreciate the return of the remaining Wonder Morton components to the Kings, if the parties found a way to accomplish this. In the event the Wheaton Grand is saved, there ARE other theater organs out there, awaiting a new home. In fact, I know of a virtually complete 3m Wurlitzer right in my home town, that is available!
Since the Wheaton Grand renovation project is in limbo; wouldn’t it be nice if they would return the Wonder Morton back, to the Kings?
Send the Wonder Morton back home to the Kings where it belongs
if you have loose available, you also could consider helping the Byrd Theater foundation. Just a thought
I am told that the theater owner is not the same person as the Wurlitzer organ owner, just to clear up the matter
The original 3-9 Wurlitzer lays disassembled in an unfinished theater room at a private residence within spitting distance so to speak, of the Brookland! The owner of the organ, is rather well known around here, but he has grown ill in his older years, and likely will never finish the project. I visited him last fall, and have about sixty pictures of the organ. It’s apart, right in the room he personally built on his home, specifically intended for it, that has chambers, swell shade openings, etc.that he himself made, when he built the house, many years ago.The Wurlitzer presently lacks its toy counter and remote piano, but is otherwise complete.It was moved early in it’s life to a Church on Broad Street, right on Theater Row, which later was demolished, along with MOST of Theater Row; in the name of “urban renewal” He saved the organ and personally disassembled it and moved it to his home.He was a wholesale jewelry/ watch reapairman with a shop, for many a year, next door to the Byrd Theater, on Cary Street. In the day, he helped maintain the Byrd’s 4-17 Wurlitzer, which, incidentally still plays EVERY Saturday night, with it’s original relay, as it has for about 83 years! I know, because, being 59 and widowed, my Saturday night fun is usually going to the Byrd, and hanging out in the projection room with Bill and the house organist, Bob Gulledge, before the show. I contribute whatever I can, to the survival of the original installation “Mighty Wurlitzer”, at the Byrd. Now, that 3-9; from the Brookland, needs to be re-leathered, cleaned, refinished, and assembled, in order to speak again. Sad it could not return to the Brookland, but its so highly doubtful, that theatre will EVER re-open, I just wish he would DONATE it to a movie palace in need of a theater organ, so it may be enjoyed again. I have kept his name confidential, although everybody in the industry around here, knows exactly of whom I speak, as so he will not be disturbed unduly, in the winter of his life. He’s a wonderful man, and has so much knowledge that will go with him, when it’s his time,to go to Heaven. When I visited him, his knowledge, skills, and passion for theater organs awe struck me, and has earned my respect, and remembrance, for as long as I live.
the Capitol was razed about a decade or so ago, as was Julians right next door, both situated directly across from the old RF&P train station, which still stands, and is now a museum.