Ron Wehmeier of Ronald F. Wehmeier, Inc. Pipe Organ Service rebuilt the Albee Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ. Also, he supervised the construction work and installed the organ in the Ballroom of Cincinnati Music Hall.

Ron's work started in 2007, in his workshop. In June, 2008, Messer Construction began work on preparing the ballroom for the new arrival. The Mighty Wurlitzer was built for, and originally hosted in, the Albee Theatre in downtown Cincinnati. That's how the organ got its name: the Albee Mighty Wurlitzer.

In the Ballroom

As work progressed in the ballroom, Scott Santangelo, the Manager of Music Hall at the time, documented the work.

By November, the HVAC system was installed. The site was ready. Ron could begin the setup inside the chambers. Ron's work continued through the winter and into the spring.

In late summer 2009, Ron tested the organ and system thoroughly. He then brought in renowned theatre organist Lyn Larsen for a final check. Larsen is a consultant in the tonal design and layout of restored historic instruments.

Read about the dedication of the Albee Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, which was held just shy of the 82nd anniversary of the organ's first performance in the RKO Albee Theatre in Cincinnati.

The west wall of Music Hall Ballroom, before construction began to create a home for the Albee Mighty Wurlitzer organ.

The west wall of Music Hall Ballroom, before construction began.
Work is underway to remove the stage.

Work is underway to remove the stage.
A protective barrier is constructed around the work area.

A protective barrier is constructed around the work area.
The stage and grill have been removed.

The stage and grill have been removed.
Behind the barrier, the work area is getting busy.

Behind the barrier, the work area is getting busy.
The area being prepped is on the right side of this image.

The area being prepped is on the right side of this image.
The chamber that will hold the pipes and mechanical workings of the Mighty Wurlitzer

The chamber that will hold the pipes and mechanical workings of the Mighty Wurlitzer
Ensuring good air circulation, free of pollutants

Ensuring good air circulation, free of pollutants
Inside the chamber

Inside the chamber
Just a few feet north of the pipes is an area that will become a spotlighted, glass-doored room to store the Wurlitzer.

Just a few feet north of the pipes is an area that will become a spotlighted, glass-doored room in which the Wurlitzer will be stored.
These boxes hold the pipes that will be installed.

These boxes hold the pipes that will be installed.
More pipes laid out for viewing.

More pipes laid out for viewing.
The grillwork is installed.

The grillwork is installed.
Ron standing next to the 1,700 lb. 15 HP organ blower, located 100′ from the chambers, in room designed for 70 degrees and 40 percent humidity at all times.

Ron standing next to the 1,700 lb. 15 HP organ blower, located 100′ from the chambers, in room designed for 70 degrees and 40 percent humidity at all times.
There’s proper filtration and climate control equipment…and dedicated HVAC.

There’s proper filtration and climate control equipment…and dedicated HVAC.
Looking into the first of two rooms-the Solo Chamber. On the right, you can see the doorway to the second room, the Main Chamber.

Looking into the first of two rooms-the Solo Chamber. On the right, you can see the doorway to the second room, the Main Chamber.
Just inside the door, the ranks line the walls of the chamber, with the Solo 16′ Tibia on the right, expression shades on the front wall, Tuba Mirabilis on the left.

Just inside the door, the ranks line the walls of the chamber, with the Solo 16′ Tibia on the right, expression shades on the front wall, Tuba Mirabilis on the left.
In the Main Chamber: 16′ Bourdons, 8′ Flute, with Diapason behind, and the expression shades on the right.

In the Main Chamber: 16′ Bourdons, 8′ Flute, with Diapason behind, and the expression shades on the right.
The 16′ Wood Diaphones to the right, on the back wall of the Main Chamber, VDO & Celeste in center, 8′ Tibia to the left with 16′ Tuba behind.

The 16′ Wood Diaphones to the right, on the back wall of the Main Chamber, VDO & Celeste in center, 8′ Tibia to the left with 16′ Tuba behind.
Ron demonstrating how one of the 44 expression shades opens into the ballroom from each chamber.

Ron demonstrating how one of the 44 expression shades opens into the ballroom from each chamber.
The toy counter with cymbals, tambourine, castanets, wood block, triangle, bass drum, snare drum, gong, train bell at bottom, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Marimba, Chimes, and tuned Sleigh Bells.

The toy counter with cymbals, tambourine, castanets, wood block, triangle, bass drum, snare drum, gong, train bell at bottom, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Marimba, Chimes, and tuned Sleigh Bells.
A look inside the back of the Console. Uniflex 3000 Relay System, computer controlled.

A look inside the back of the Console. Uniflex 3000 Relay System, computer controlled.
The Uniflex Relay in Solo Chamber. It required three weeks for Ron to wire the several thousand electrical connections.

The Uniflex Relay in Solo Chamber. It required three weeks for Ron to wire the several thousand electrical connections.
Solo chamber with unique Wurlitzer brass sax and brass trumpets. Percussions are along the back wall.

Solo chamber with unique Wurlitzer brass sax and brass trumpets. Percussions are along the back wall.
Main chamber with 16′ wood diaphones on the back wall. Chrysoglott with metal bars above the classical chest.

Main chamber with 16′ wood diaphones on the back wall. Chrysoglott with metal bars above the classical chest.
Wurlitzer Console on movable platform in display room – refinished Mahogany with gold leaf on ornamentation.

Wurlitzer Console on movable platform in display room – refinished Mahogany with gold leaf on ornamentation.
1925 Steinway OR 6′-6″ Duo-Art Grand, played from 3 manuals & pedals on the Wurlitzer console.

1925 Steinway OR 6′-6″ Duo-Art Grand, played from 3 manuals & pedals on the Wurlitzer console.
A view of the 30-foot wide by 18-foot deep organ chamber. There’s a grille in front of the open expression shades. A yellow 6-foot ladder gives perspective as to the size.

A view of the 30-foot wide by 18-foot deep organ chamber. There’s a grille in front of the open expression shades. A yellow 6-foot ladder gives perspective as to the size.
February 2009 – rack boards are ready for installation of the pipes.

February 2009 – rack boards are ready for installation of the pipes.
Wind pressure regulators for the Wurlitzer.

Wind pressure regulators for the Wurlitzer.
A modern (for 2009) computer-based system is used to control the instrument.

A modern (for 2009) computer-based system is used to control the instrument.
Lyn Larsen, left, and Ron Wehmeier, testing the organ before the dedication concert.

Lyn Larsen, left, and Ron Wehmeier, testing the organ before the dedication concert.
The Albee Wurlitzer Organ in Cincinnati Music Hall, 2009

The Albee Wurlitzer Organ in Cincinnati Music Hall, 2009

Photo credit: Philip Groshong Photography