Whiteside Theatre in Oregon seeks volunteers for restoration

posted by philbertgray on July 18, 2008 at 3:50 pm

CORVALLIS OR — The Whiteside Theatre is reaching out to volunteers who would like to participate in the restoration of what was once the second biggest theatre in Oregon.

The theatre opened in 1922 and functioned as a single screen movie palace until its closure in 2002. Owner Regal Entertainment Corporation entertained an attempt in 2006 to convert the theatre to a retail complex, leaving only the exterior intact. In February 2007 the city council approved the plan. The Whiteside Theatre Foundation successfully fended off the proposal and eventually convinced Regal Entertainment to donate the theatre to the foundation.

Although the theatre has suffered the ravages of time, most of the original features remain intact. The tile and wood floors of the theatre have been covered with carpet but little else has changed. A complete description of the theatre’s present state can be found at the Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society.

The Whiteside Theatre Foundation’s website has a few pictures of interior details of the theatre.

For those wishing to volunteer a meeting/registration will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. in Corvallis, Oregon.

Theaters in this post

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment