The halls of Iowa State’s Memorial Union can now be filled with melodies, courtesy of a 50-year-old Wurlitzer piano recently placed in the Harold Pride Lounge.

The university bought the piano from Agnes Cerka, an Ames resident who will soon move to California. She is unable to take the family instrument along.

“I miss [the piano],” Cerka said. “My apartment looks rather bare, but I’m happy the university has it now, especially because my family and I are Iowa natives.”

Kathy Svec, program director at the Memorial Union, said the MU purchased the piano from Cerka for a price below market value to replace an older piano that was in such disrepair it could not be played.

“Actually, we sold the older piano, and when our attention was drawn to Ms. Cerka’s piano, the decision to buy became very easy,” Svec said. “We had comments in the past about the other piano and how disappointing it is that it did not play,” she said.

Cerka donated a piece of artwork featuring people playing various instruments to be placed by the piano. She said she always had the art near the piano and wanted to continue its presence.

“Our hope is that people will feel free to stop in and play for their own pleasure or for other people,” Svec said. “We really stress that it is open to the public for anyone to come and play.”

Cerka said her mother taught lessons for many years.

“My mother used to drive a horse and buggy to students’ homes to teach them music,” Cerka said. “Later, after she had this piano, she taught lessons from our home. I have some very fond memories of the piano.” The baby grand piano is known as a “butterfly” piano since the lid is hinged in the middle, allowing both sides to be raised. The piano is also unique because only a few of this model were manufactured.

“It is very pleasing to look at and to listen to,” Svec said. “The butterfly hinges and creamy white color make it very unusual.”

Cerka said she is happy about the piano’s new home.

“I think it’s marvelous that the Union has the instrument, and it has been very nice to have an association with the university,” Cerka said. The Harold Pride Lounge is located on the first floor of the Memorial Union and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.