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The 2/6 Robert Morton
The Robert Morton pipe organ in the Carolina Theatre is a 2 manual, six rank instrument built in Van Nuys, California and installed in 1927.
Although small compared to bigger, more well known installations, the organ is closer in size to the average theatre instrument built during theatre organ's "Golden Age". She is the sister to the 2/11
Robert Morton installed originally in the National Theatre on South Elm Street next to the Guilford Building. Both instruments are unusual in that they were built in Van Nuys California. Most "Wonder
Mortons" installed on the East Coast were built and shipped from a factory in the mid-west. The organ residing here is more unusual today in that it is one of only two original installations left in the
Carolinas.
The Carolina Theatre has had two major renovations since 1980. In that year, the United Arts Council of Greensboro took posession of the
Carolina and embarked on a campaign to first restore the building, and then to increase the size of the offices and meeting spaces by finishing unused portions of the building. Over the past 17 years, the theatre
(and yes the Morton) has survived a fire and two major construction projects. Through it all, the Robert Morton has endured careless construction workers, smoke, water and vandals.
Preparations are underway by the Piedmont Theatre Organ Society to complete repairs from water damage suffered five years ago and expand the
Carolina's instrument fron six ranks to ten, thereby making the organ a more versatile instrument for accompaniment and as a solo instrument.
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