Rare 1920s organ to make home in Wheaton Theater

An elaborate 1920s Wonder Theater organ, one of only five in the world, will make its home in the Wheaton Grand Theater

Wheaton resident Paul Van Der Molen, who built a performance facility within his house to showcase the organ, is donating the refurbished masterpiece, theater officials said Friday.

The news was announced at a special concert Friday night at Van Der Molen's home.

"It's one of the great theater organs in the world," said Ray Shepardson, who's overseeing the downtown theater's renovation.

The elaborate organ, which can simulate the sounds of an entire vintage orchestra, will fit perfectly into the building, he said. Shepardson's even thinking of installing a lift that will gradually raise the organ from beneath the stage, present it prominently and turn it at an angle for patrons to view its keyboards.

"We have an orchestra now and no payroll. I just can't believe it's actually happening," Shepardson said.

The Morton organs were designed for and built into Loews Wonder Theaters, which at the time they opened were wildly grand and unusually large. The organ is capable of producing sounds from 26 different sections of an orchestra.

"This is a theater organ with all the bells and whistles," Shepardson said.

Van Der Molen, who's had a lifetime fascination with elaborate church and theater organs, purchased this one in 1980 and sent it through an extensive renovation in 2001.

Though he and his wife have enjoyed its originality for nearly three decades, they needed to find a new home for it to coincide with their own plans to downsize, he said.

"We have done this for close to 30 years but there's a time for everything," Van Der Molen, said. "We want many thousands of people to hear and enjoy it for years to come."

The installation of the organ is dependent on the renovation of the theater, as sufficient space for it needs to be addressed by architects because of its extensive piping system, Shepardson said. Theater officials still are trying to raise sufficient funds to complete the renovation.