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The first Wurlitzer Organ to be played in Australia outside the city centres was installed in Chatswood. Eddie Horton opened a two-manual, ten-rank organ in Herbert Crispe’s Arcadia Theatre on 8 February 1926.
Designed as a “one man orchestra” to accompany silent films, the organ produces a range of different noises, including those of the violin, flute, clarinet, tuba and human voice.
According to an account from Everyone’s, 24 February, 1926, it was well received by the audience:
“One innovation which synchronises with the opening of the organ and the engagement of Eddie Horton as organist promises to be particularly popular. It is no less than a children's party at the Saturday matinée. Mr Crispe gives the credit to the ubiquitous Eddie, and it promises to be wonderfully successful. At a packed house of youngsters, who had been specially invited to attend a children's matinée, Eddie suggested that, instead of the second feature, the kiddies might like to entertain themselves by performing on the stage... it went like a riot.”
It was removed from the theatre and later installed in the Willoughby Civic Centre in 1972. Throughout the next 35 years it was restored by a group of dedicated volunteers, including its computerisation and upgrading to be compatible with modern technology. There are regular concert performances featuring the organ, as well as being used for school concerts and by the Willoughby Symphony. It was one of few remaining operable Wurlitzer Organs in the state.
It will be further restored and specially housed in the concert hall of the new Civic Place facility.