Party Poolside to Restore the Voice of Brucemore
For one night Brucemore's infamous Tahitian Room will spill out into the pool area for the estate's sixth annual Tahitian Party on June 27 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. Throw on a hula skit or Hawaiian shirt and dance to the beat of the steel drum band to support the restoration of the 1929 Skinner player pipe organ. With Polynesian noshes, exotic beverages, and roast suckling pig, this popular event cannot be missed.
Irene Douglas contracted Ernest M. Skinner to construct a residential organ for $14,000 in 1929. Brucemore's organ, known as Opus 754, is one of only six residential organs created by the Skinner Organ Company that remains unaltered and in situ. In the 1920s, a player organ was the ultimate home entertainment system. The player function allowed multiple orchestral voices, operas, symphonies, and popular songs to be played at the push of a button. Experts agree that this "national treasure" needs attention. A 2013 survey examined the condition of the organ and revealed that a full restoration was necessary. Based on these results, a three-phase restoration project for the organ began with plans for completion in 2018. This rare and remarkable instrument is vital to the estate's rich history and its full restoration will make it integral to the visitor experience.
Tickets are $60 per person. Space is limited; Purchase tickets by June 18 by visiting www.brucemore.org or by calling (319) 362-7375. On-site parking is available. On-site food vendors and bar included with ticket. Sponsorship levels are available starting at $125 and offer additional benefits.
About Brucemore
Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families. Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community. For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.
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