As the 50-year anniversary nears for the fine arts center in Iola, Bowlus officials have big plans to commemorate the occasion only two years away.
Aside from already completed theater sound, rigging and lighting systems upgrades, Susan Raines, director of Bowlus Fine Arts Center, said the staff is especially looking forward to restoring the 106-year-old grand piano Mr. Thomas H. Bowlus left the center nearly five decades ago.
“This piano is a 1905 Henry Miller. It is going to be sent to a company in Kansas City,” she said Tuesday afternoon as she stood next to the grand piano.
The antique instrument stays locked away in a private room, a policy implemented after years of students not giving the piano the respect it deserves.
“I’m ashamed that kids would do that,” she said, referring to the ivory keys flaking away. “I think (the ivory) was probably loose to begin with, but students started picking at them and throwing them inside (the piano).”
With new wires, pads, keys and sound board, Raines said she expects the cost of refurbishment to
Bowlus’ 106-year-old grand piano to get makeover
