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Listen to the Civic Center Organ
Another selection to listen to
So now the Morton has a new home. But let us re-visit the chronology of events. Originally built in Van Nuys California (unusual for a Robert Morton to be shipped from the West Coast) installed in the National Theatre in Greensboro (sister organ to the Carolina Theatre’s instrument), moved to the Center Theatre in Durham 12 years later, moved again one step ahead of the wrecking ball to Campbell College, dispossessed and moved to the Abernethy residence where she played for 9 years. Into storage she went and at the hands of some very indifferent people, had her blower stolen to make a yard planter and a number of pipes damaged through neglect.
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In 1985 enter stage right Allen Lloyd and Lumberton’s Carolina Civic Center. This is a 500 seat vaudeville house that had been closed but was in the midst of being renovated and repurposed by the city. As near as we can tell, there had been a small 4 rank Wurlitzer installed on the stage right side of the House. Two rooms stacked upon each other comprised the single chamber and blower compartment.
Civic Center officials led by Allen wanted to put an organ back in the theatre. Allen’s phone call was met with enthusiasm especially given the dire nature of the storage facility the organ was stored in. An immediate survey of the site determined that with some creative alterations to the organ, the eight ranks could make a two chamber instrument from both stage right spaces. It was small and while not ideal, allowed us to preserve an instrument that was not going to survive its present predicament.
Donations and help from a grant from the City of Lumberton made it possible to build new racks, install a pit lift, build space for a new blower compartment, and to modify the chamber spaces to meet local fire code regulations. Subsequent donations have made it possible to replace a home made diode relay with a new Uniflex system. At the same time, new Syndyne stop actions and a set of expanded combination pistons were added to the organ. In 2016, money was found via Lumberton’s new artist in residence, Mark Andersen, to have two new manuals custom made for the organ.
Today the organ enjoys being played by an artist known around the world. Mark Andersen, now a resident of Lumberton, has volunteered countless hours performing for audiences at the Center. His silent film and vocal accompaniments have been a huge success and have brought a new relevance to the instrument. Great things can come from small packages!
