Downey : $65,000 Donated to Buy Pipe Organ for Theater
The City Council on Tuesday accepted a $65,000 donation to purchase an antique pipe organ to be used primarily for cultural events at the Downey Theatre and in municipal parks.
The James L. Stamps Foundation donated the money for the restored organ. Stamps, who died in 1980, was the city’s first mayor and the organ will bear his name.
In addition to being used at concerts and silent film festivals, the pipe organ will be available to the Downey Civic Light Opera, said James R. Jarrett, director of community services.
The organ, which can play automatically, will be purchased from the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. The city will use a trailer to transport the organ, which should be operational in early 1992, Jarrett said.
James L. Stamps was sworn in as mayor on Dec. 17, 1956, the day the city was incorporated. He served as mayor and councilman between 1956 and 1960.
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