Next to Erie Street Cemetery and Playhouse Square is a a castle fortress building. Memorial Day 1893 the year stone was set for Cleveland Grays Armory. This Saturday past, they had an open house and celebration of the 125 years since. Before the National Guard system, there were local militias. Cleveland's was formed in 1837. They did see military action from 1861 to 1918. Since then they have been a sort of men's club and honor guard for public occasions.
The drill hall was, for a time, the largest auditorium in town. the first performance of the Cleveland Orchestra was there. In 1970 a Wurlitzer organ was installed, it had come from an Erie Pennsylvania theatre. Besides the keyboard console for the organist, there are over 1400 pipes. Some are inside the overhead projection from the stage, and large wooden pipes are visible left and right.
There are some foot operated special effects pedals.
In the lobby there is a uniformed mannikin and a cannon captured from the Confederates.
No comments:
Post a Comment