Closer to Restoring the Wonder Organ at the United Palace

Goals

1 of 1

$8,298.84 of $10,000

Help us bring the Wonder Organ's majestic sound - the voice and soul of the theatre - back to life.

Introduction

Built in 1930, the Robert-Morton Wonder Organ in the United Palace is the last one of its kind in the United States still in its original venue and one of the last remaining all-original theatre organs in the world. The United Palace is dedicated to preserving its rich history and restoring its one-of-a-kind, 94-year-old Wonder Organ to its former glory.

Generous community support has been instrumental in the success of our multi-year restoration effort, led painstakingly by Nick Myers of the New York Theatre Organ Society (NYTOS). We are excited to share that we are preparing to enter the next phase – making it sing!

Progress Update

Great progress has been made over the last two years. After a full restoration of the chamber walls and ceiling, your support allowed us to restore and reinstall 36 of the largest pipes in the organ, wind chests, regulators, drums, sound effects, and percussions in the theatre’s house left organ chamber. As a result, we are delighted to report that we are on the brink of hearing these pipes produce sound for the first time in decades.

Cue the Music...

We only need $10,000 to repair the relay plus restore and install the many smaller pipes in the organ. Achieving this goal will allow almost all of the left chamber to resonate once again, bringing the beginnings of the Wonder Organ's majestic sound - the voice and soul of the theatre - back to life.

Please give today. Your continued generosity will ensure this historic instrument can inspire and educate future generations. Visit our donation page for a list of perks for various levels, including the opportunity for a private dinner in the theatre’s exquisite VIP Lounge.

Your Gift Scores Silent Film Day

If we reach our $10,000 goal by August 17, 2024, we will host a special event for National Silent Film Day on September 29, 2024, screening a series of silent film shorts featuring Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, and more accompanied by a live score. While we will use an electronic organ to stage those performances, we also hope to play music (or at least make sound!) with the restored sections of the Wonder Organ in a special demonstration, which wouldn’t have been possible without your support. It’s our way of saying thank you.

Give Now

Thank you for your continued support in restoring the Wonder Organ. Together, we can revive this grand instrument, preserving its legacy for future generations of musicians and theatergoers.

The United Palace also accepts donations from Donor Advised Funds (DAFs).

United Palace of Spiritual Arts. Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity (federal tax ID #04-6148638). All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation.

$50 One-Time

2 tickets to Silent Movie Day on Sep 29, plus your name on a flute pipe in the organ.

$100 One-Time

2 tickets to all Movies at the Palace (with and without Lin-Manuel Miranda), through 2025 PLUS your name on a string or diapason pipe in the organ.

$250 One-Time

Invitation to a party on-stage before the Sep 29 Silent Movie Day performance, the $50 and $100 perks, PLUS your name on a color reed in the organ (oboe, saxophone, clarinet).

$750 One-Time

A private take-out dinner for two in the VIP Lounge, the $50, $100, and $250 perks, PLUS your name on a tuba or post horn rank, the loudest pipes in the organ.

$2,500 One-Time

A private screening of a movie of your choice (within reason) with a bunch of your friends in the United Palace, the $50, $100, $250, and $750 perks, PLUS your name on a plaque in the house left organ chamber.

Donate Custom Amount

Choose your custom amount. Every dollar makes a difference.