Generous benefactor to buy Historic State Theatre of Boyertown, PA for Community

posted by ThrHistoricalSociety on February 16, 2016 at 1:05 pm

“My Grandparents, Edith (Mimi) and Frank Diehl, moved to the Boyertown area in 1941. In 1975, my Mom, (Dolly) moved back to the same farm house, and now two of my sisters, Bonnie Wren and Debby Meehan have also moved back to the area. We all share many fond memories of those earlier times, including visits to the State Theatre, to Bauses Drug Store, the Mansion House Restaurant and even Landis Store when it was a general store. We all want to see Boyertown’s history preserved, while helping Boyertown grow and thrive. This purchase and improvement to the State Theatre is our way to be part of the community effort to make it happen,” said Steve Maguire, Chester County businessman.

It was a 25-minute meeting between Steve Maguire and Charles Haddad, Boyertown attorney, that led to Maguire and Haddad developing a plan for Maguire to purchase the Historic State Theatre of Boyertown to be used by the Boyertown community.

It was the first time Maguire and Haddad met, and a plan for Maguire to purchase the Theatre through the Maguire Family Foundation and to make interior improvements quickly developed.

Maguire made it known to Haddad that he, Maguire, did not want to operate a theater and that he would be pleased to lease the Theatre to the nonprofit group formed by Haddad — The State Theatre Preservation Society — for 20 years for $1.00 per year. While the lease terms need to be developed between Maguire and the Theatre group, both parties agree the Theatre will be preserved for the Boyertown area community.

Allen Steffy, President of Building A Better Boyertown, said, “The sale of the State Theatre to Mr. Maguire and the generous offer of Mr. Maguire brings another milestone to Boyertown. We will have three amazing venues with the Theatre, the Museum of Historic Vehicles and the Colebrookdale Railroad, each offering a wonderful experience for local and distant patrons.”

Read the article in the Berks-Mont news here: http://www.berksmontnews.com/article/BM/20160204/NEWS/160209954

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ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

Learn more about historic theatres in the THS American Theatre Architecture Archives and on our website at historictheatres.org