PPAC’s historic organ off to California for complete restoration

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Providence Performing Arts Center‘s historic “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ is officially on the move.

PPAC’s President and CEO Alan Chille announced last month that the organ will be completely restored over a two-year period by Herman Organ Company.

Chille said the organ’s restoration will begin this summer and wrap up sometime in 2028. He expects the organ to be back just in time for PPAC’s 100th anniversary.

“It’s such a satisfying organ to play,” PPAC’s house organist Peter Krasinski said. “There’s no digital interference. The organ plays when you press the keys. It’s very much connected to the player.”

The organ, which is one of three five-manual Wurlitzers ever built, was removed from the theater Monday afternoon. It is now on its way to Herman Organ Company’s headquarters in California to begin the restoration process.

“This organ, when it goes back in, will have nothing digital in it,” Herman Organ Company President Mark Herman said. “It will work just as it did when it was new in 1927.”

The organ’s restoration will cost approximately $1.4 million, according to Chille. He said the theater was awarded $650,000 through a Save America’s Treasures grant to cover roughly half of the cost.

The grant requires the theater to raise a matching amount through donations. Those interested in donating can do so online.