The Dairyland Theatre Organ Society is restoring Wurlitzer Opus 1224, a 1925 theatre pipe organ originally installed at the Carlton Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, for installation at the Geneva Theatre in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
This nearly complete, original 2/10 Style H Special is undergoing a full historic restoration to preserve this unique and rare instrument. Restoration work is ongoing — check back here for periodic progress updates, and get in touch with us if you’re interested in contributing to the project.
Milestone: the console’s combination action came to life again for the first time since 1936, and the blower is up and running.
Original Theatre: Carlton Theatre, Brooklyn, NY
New Home: Geneva Theatre, Lake Geneva, WI
Photo Coming Soon
A Brief History of Opus 1224
The story of this organ – a two-manual, ten-rank Wurlitzer Style H, Opus 1224 begins in 1925, when it was shipped from the Wurlitzer factory in North Tonawanda, New York, to the Carlton Theatre on Flatbush Avenue, in Brooklyn. There, it accompanied the silent motion pictures of the day, entertaining tens of thousands over no less than ten years. We believe the organ was played until around 1936, when problems with improperly greased blower-motor bearings rendered the machine inoperable.
The organ was removed from the Carlton by Roy Davis in the early 1970’s, and subsequently sold to David Watkins of Edgewater, Florida.
Dave’s plans to install the organ at his home never materialized, but he kept it safe for over four decades until it was acquired by the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society (DTOS) in the fall of 2015. DTOS is installing the organ in the Geneva Theater in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Today, Wurlitzer Opus 1224 is one of the very few theatre pipe organs that remains a totally unaltered example of the builder’s work, and DTOS intends to keep it that way by meticulously restoring it to pristine playing condition. While it is obviously no longer in its original home, the Geneva Theater provides an excellent acoustical and “sociable” environment for many to enjoy the warm, lush sounds of this magnificent instrument.
Every practical effort has been and will be made to preserve every aspect of Wurlitzer’s work. This includes retaining the original electro-pneumatically operated relay and switch stack, as well as the original combination action mechanism in the console.
The restoration of Wurlitzer Opus 1224 is well underway, but we need your help to ensure this project is completed to the highest standards. Your generous contributions to this project will ensure that a wonderful, long-lived, long-dormant theatre pipe organ – a pristine example of American musical and entertainment history – will thrill audiences of all ages once again, and long into the future! Please join us on this adventure to keep the music playing!
The Wurlitzer Style H, Opus 1224 — Specification
Main Chamber
- 16′ Concert Flute
- Viole d’Orchestra
- Viole Celeste
- 6′ Open Diapason
- Clarinet
- Chrysoglott
Solo Chamber
- Tibia Clausa
- Vox Humana (6″ wind pressure)
- 16′ Tuba Horn (15” wind pressure)
- Orchestral Oboe
- Kinura
- Glockenspiel
- Xylophone
- Cathedral Chimes
- Tuned Sleigh Bells
- Toy Counter
The organ is currently under restoration and will operate with its original electro-pneumatic keying relay and switch stack.
Wind pressure is 10” water column, unless otherwise noted. All traps, percussion instruments, relay/switch stack, and expression shades operate on 12” pressure.
DTOS has undertaken a historic restoration of Opus 1224. Stay tuned here for progress and more information on how you can help!