The Plight of the Piano: donations sought to rebuild Bates County History

Doug Mager

This stately Steinway has sat silently in the Bates County Museum over three decades- and the push to restore it is full on.

Bates County Museum Director
Peggy Buhr 

While the estimated cost of the complete restoration is estimated at $50,000, a growing number of supporters and donations show that this dream may very well become reality as plans include shipping it to New York for the year long restoration process.

The restored Steinway, with around 12,000 individual parts, will be worth close to $100,000 when the work is completed.

The piano was originally purchased over 135 years ago by Butler physician Elliott Pyle; the rich sound and detailed styling of a Steinway model B was just what the doctor ordered. To the tune of about $1,000, which was a heckuva lot of money in 1877.

The piano stayed in use as his daughter Eunice gave piano lessons through 1979, at which point both teacher and instrument were simply worn out- the 716 lb piano found a new home at the Bates County Museum just off the Butler square. Eunice passed on just four years later.

For close to three decades, the piano sat silently and got little more attention than an occasional dusting. Over the years literally thousands of people passed by the grand Steinway not realizing its monetary or historical value.

Enter Museum Director Peggy Buhr, who is leading the whole-hearted crusade on the restoration. And she's getting a lot of support as many local groups, organizations and individuals are chipping in to make it happen.

While $50,000 seems like a lot of money to restore a piano, it's actually an investment for our community as well. And the best part? The restored unit will be placed in Roberston Hall at the museum where it  will be used for recitals and special events. 

How can you help? Contact Peggy Buhr or the Bates County Museum on Facebook.

Donations can also be made on line through this GoFundMe link.

Editor's note- I'm no Liberace, but personally can't wait to sit down and knock out some Scott Joplin on this magnificent Steinway (thanks to Ruby Hart and Ruth Weil for all those years of piano-teaching-patience).

Mid America Live will continue to provide updates as this project progresses.