Restoring the vintage silent movie era charm, specialists reconstruct a 100-year-old pipe organ

A historic pipe organ that once accompanied silent films in Detroit’s Hollywood Theatre is undergoing a meticulous restoration before being transported to the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York for reassembly. The Barton Opus, constructed in 1927, was known for its ability to mimic various instruments and produce sound effects like steamboat and bird whistles, as shared by restorer Carlton Smith.
During the golden age of Detroit’s auto industry, movie theaters were as opulent as those in major cities like New York and San Francisco, with the Barton Opus at the Hollywood Theatre being a standout feature. The Detroit Theatre Organ Society notes the organ’s excellent acoustics in the theater, a testament to the city’s vibrant entertainment scene.
Only three Barton Opus organs were made by the Bartola Musical Instrument Co., with the Hollywood Theatre’s organ being the last remaining unaltered one. Saved from being lost to history, the massive organ was purchased at auction in the 1960s and kept unassembled in a private residence for over 40 years until plans for its restoration were set in motion.
Steven Ball, a professional organist and educator, secured the Barton Opus with the intention of eventually finding a suitable institution for its restoration. The organ will now find a new home at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where it will be the focal point of a new performing arts center designed to replicate its original setting from the Hollywood Theatre.
With restoration work on the organ nearing completion, the theater set to open in 2026 has been specifically designed to accommodate the Barton Opus, ensuring its historical significance and musical capabilities are preserved. While the total cost of the restoration project is still being determined, the school’s president, David C. Munson, believes the investment will yield remarkable results for future audiences to enjoy.