Free State Theatre Organ Society 2/7 Robert-Morton- Baltimore, MD

Welcome to the
FREE STATE THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY

Console of the 2/8 Robert Morton/Wicks Pipe Organ

Home of the 2 Manual/8 Rank Robert Morton/Wicks Pipe Organ
(Photo by Ernest N. Boyd)

The photograph at the top is the console of our instrument. The organ was originally installed in the Metropolitan Theater (later known as the "Met") in Baltimore, Maryland. This was a Robert Morton organ built under license by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois. The original console being long gone, a Wurlitzer console and relay now operates the Wicks-built pipe work and direct electric chests. Recent additions include a 16' Diaphone extension (Wurlitzer) and 16' Gemshorn (M.P. Moller). In addition, IC (integrated circuit) drivers are used on the relay to provide current for the direct electric action and some RDL (resistor-diode logic) is used for the ranks not provided for on the relay. A summary of the pipe work is below. A full specification of the instrument is forthcoming.

*Pipe Work (Single Chamber)*	*Percussions (Tuned and Untuned)*
16'-4' Diaphone/Diaphonic Diapason¹ 8'-4' Harmonic Tuba 8'-4' Vox Humana 16'-2' Bourdon/Concert Flute 8'-4' Tibia Clausa 8'-4' Violin² 8'-2' Gamba 16'-4' Gemshorn (TenC and up tuned as celeste)³ ¹Diaphone is Wurlitzer ²Wurlitzer ³M.P. Moller (from the first organ in the Century Theatre, Baltimore)	Chimes Bass Drum Glockenspiel/Orchestra Bells Xylophone Snare Drum Castanets Tambourine Sleigh Bells Triangle Cymbal Crash Cymbal
*Tremulants*	*Sound Effects*
Main Solo Vox Humana	Bird Trolley Gong (from a J.G. Brill streetcar) Jazz Whistle Police Whistle
*Console*	*Miscellaneous*
The original Robert Morton console is long-gone. It is believed, however, that the original installation was in two chambers. A two manual Wurlitzer console is used, as shown above.	In addition to some solid state devices, a standard Wurlitzer electro-pneumatic relay is used. The blower is by Kinetic. Low voltage D.C. current is provided from a solid state rectifier from Organ Supply Industries.

The Robert Morton is location in the Rice Auditorium at the Spring Grove Center in Catonsville, Maryland. The center is near Interstate 695 and Frederick Road. Monthly concerts are presented on the Robert Morton and everyone is invited to "take a turn" on the Robert Morton at open console. Refreshments always follow our programs!

Future plans include replacing the relay with an all solid state system and replacement of the Harmonic Tuba with a Moller Tuba (from the Century Theatre).

If you'd like to support us by becoming a member and would like further information, please contact:

Roy Wagner, Membership Chairman
410-592-9322
roy.pipeorg@worldnet.att.net

New members are always welcome to join us every Tuesday in Cottage E which houses our shop where restoration continues. No experience is needed!

Founded in 1984, the Free State Theatre Organ Society is a non-profit educational organization as defined in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. The mission of the Free State Theater Organ Society is to preserve a musical instrument which was invented in the United States . . . the Theatre Organ.