the kalamazoo state is home to a barton theatre organ, which accompanied silent pictures from 1927 to 1937. barton was one of the better-known companies along with: wurlitzer, kimball, and morton. theatre organs were a unique combination of multiple instruments and sound effects. these intriguing machines greatly varied in size and complexity ranging from two manuals and six ranks to four or five manuals and more than fifty or sixty ranks. with the advent of "talkies," it was silenced until 1950. however, in 1961 it was fully restored and put back into service. the original barton organ is still used for special presentations.