Hello all,  I thought I would write and let everyone know that
the Wurlitzer band organ located at Joyland Park in Wichita, Kansas,
has a new owner.  Stan Nelson, owner of the amusement park since the
1970s, passed away a month ago.  His family came to me and asked if
I would like to purchase the organ from them.  I was honored that
they considered me and it means a lot that to me that it was their wish
for me to have it.  As a child the organ mesmerized me and later when
I turned fifteen my first job was at Joyland Park.  Stan Nelson was
a wonderful employer and friend.

The organ, originally a style 160 Mammoth Military Band Organ, was
modified by Wurlitzer at their North Tonawanda plant in October, 1915,
and now plays style 165 rolls.  Due to this modification it has
pipework not found on any other Wurlitzer band organ.

I would like to publish an article about this organ and hopefully I can
do that in the near future.  I have documents and can write about its
history factually.  In the meantime, the organ will be stored awaiting
restoration.  Eventually, I would like for the organ to be on public
display here within the local community, but this time maybe an indoor
venue can be considered -- the Kansas summers of heat and humidity are
grueling!

Regards,
Damian K. Mayes
Wichita, Kansas

 [ Articles about Joyland Louie and Joyland Park are indexed at
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/J/joyland.html  -- Robbie