Alabama Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society
The American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the organs of the grand movie palaces and the music played on them. The Alabama Chapter of ATOS was founded in 1971 from members of the then Southeastern Chapter. The chapter makes its home at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham, where it has maintained the building's Wurlitzer organ since its founding. As the name says, it is the only ATOS chapter in the state.
ATOS members found the Alabama's Wurlitzer in great disrepair during an "organ crawl" around 1970. A group from Atlanta sought and received permission to restore it to playability. Shortly after this, Jay Mitchell, an organ instructor at Forbes Piano Company, brought together a crew to work on the organ. Mitchell was also instrumental in the formation of the Alabama Chapter.
In 1986, when Alabama Theatre owner Costa and Head filed for bankruptcy, the Alabama Chapter tried to get permission to remove the Wurlitzer, but was denied. So the chapter began a campaign to buy the Alabama. The group was successful and assumed the mortgage on the Alabama in 1987. It was later decided to form a special corporation to maintain the Alabama, so Birmingham Landmarks was formed, largely made up of ATOS members, and assumed the mortgage.
Today, the Alabama Chapter continues to work closely with Birmingham Landmarks to maintain the Alabama Theatre's Wurlitzer.
References
- Whitmire, Cecil and Jeannie Hanks. The Alabama Theatre: Showplace of the South. Birmingham Landmarks, 2002. ISBN 0310975124.
- Ron Rhode concert flyer. Alabama Chapter of ATOS, 30 June 1991.