Grand Theatre
63 E. Main Street,
Norristown,
PA
19401
63 E. Main Street,
Norristown,
PA
19401
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The Grand Theatre was a rebuild of the Grand Opera House which had suffered several fires over its career, the last in 1922. It had been leased since 1910 for vaudeville and pictures by the Soblosky brothers, operators of the Garrick Theatre. A bit of the Grand’s history can be found on this web page.
I have the organ console and it came to me in pieces. Work has been started on its restoration. A picture of the console is in Dave Junchens Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ Vol. 1 (Kimball Organ section)
organ info, I had the kimball toy counter and I have alot of artifacts from that theatre, sush as stained glass exit signs, the organ went to a church, and i just found out the church just had a fire and the organ is gone. there was a welte reproducing piano in the pit , long gone but i have some of the rolls, Bob
Here is a larger version of one of the photos posted on 2/6/07. Photo is from the Irvin Glazer theater collection:
http://tinyurl.com/knbtuc
I have the relay from the original 3 manual 12 rank Kimball organ from the Grand Theatre playing the organ in my home. The console is in Wisconsin; I have no idea where the remainder of the organ is.
Gary Rickert
The Sablosky (Norris Amusement Co.) also operated the Ridge Pike D-I and the Valley Forge D-I theatres. In the late 50’s and early 60’s The two D-I’s and the Norris theatre were operated By Budco Theatres but still owned by N. A. Co. rs