The following quote from a theatre friend’s email: “Yes, I read all the comments about the Grand Theater in Westfield. It is a real shame what happened to that theater. Westfield today is not complete without it.” I couldn’t have said it better!
klimkm: It sure does help and does put a big smile on my face this a.m. so you have “made my day”. And in regards to another theatre called the Tivoli in Mishawaka Indiana…even though it was recently demolished the signature window WAS SAVED according to a recent email from a Suan Baxter so she “made my day” today also!
WSL: I could write all day about my Grand thoughts, but it won’t bring it back to us. My hometown visit this spring with Tom T. and with a member of the demolition committee should prove to be most interesting! Besides talking to these men I plan to meet with one of the former owners, Joe Kirsch who lives in Erie PA and whose family recently owns the Kirsch Drive-In in Corry PA.
WSL: I’ve posted many times on this CT website, but the one theatre that is the closest to my heart is the Grand so when I receive notice of a Grand comment that puts a smile on my face though bittersweet as we are discussing a special theatre that is no longer with us. Westfield is a special town in western NYS and the Grand marquee could be seen from almost anywhere on main street so it brought a special atmosphere or aura to the area. And I’m quite sure that most folks of my generation have fond memories of going through the doors of that theatre to see any number of movies starring Hollywood’s best of the best. I do feel that the lighted curved marquee is what truly made the Grand so grand!
WSL: Thanks again for your follow-up Grand memories. Was so nice of Tom to give you a key so you could take your daughter through Westfield’s former ‘house of dreams’! And to read that what Tom said in reference to the town museum wanting to put a projector in the McClurg Mansion was very nice though I don’t believe it was ever done. Do you have any information on what may have happened to some of the interior items such as seats, concession stand, popcorn machine, projectors, etc.? I have mentioned this before, but will mention it again here….I have one of the cement smooth tiles that were part of the exterior walls as a Westfield man was selling them for $1 each so I have that part of the Grand which is some comfort. I don’t recall the wall fabric that you mentioned with the theatre masks, but enjoyed reading your description. I only wish I could have taken one last tour through the building before it was taken from us! I would be very interested in having a set of the Grand photos so would be willing to pay for them. Are the photos digital or 35mm? If they are digital, you could just email them to me. My email address is on my profile page, but it is Upon receiving an email from you I will provide my mailing address. Thanks so very much.
A friend of mine in Crossville sent this email in regards to their Palace…..“It is definitely in our little town. We have gone to many things there since we have lived here. They have a full schedule of activities with Christmas shows, political debates, performances by all kinds of show people, plays, band concerts,etc. so it’s very much an asset to the community and the restoration is wonderful.”
Does anyone have information about the Palace in Akron. Recently I was told about this theatre. BTW, anyone in the Canton area would know about a band called Jimmy and the Soulblazers who have performed at the Palace/Akron with Gladys Knight and the Pips!
Good question and perhaps someone from the Fox camp(s) will give us all an answer, in time. I’ve not been to the Fox theatres in Detroit and St. Louis, but I have seen to the Fox in Atlanta and it is breathtaking!
WSL: When having a recent phone conversation with Joe Kirsch he told me that as far as he knew there never was a bowling alley in the Grand basement even though that has been the story told for years! What can you tell me?
“for in that magic moment you could feel the excitement of our past and present fellow villagers as they, in their respective eras, were drawn to that magic palace in downtown Westfield; a place where everyone could escape the troubles of the world and dream for a couple of hours.” Those words were passed onto Joe Kirsch to read as I know he’ll appreciate your memories! I don’t recall how many years he was the owner, but perhaps he was your boss when you worked at the Grand. When I close my eyes, I can see the lighted marquee at the end of main street on a crystal clear winter night with maybe a light snow falling down. If only it were still there today, it would add so much charm to the Town of Westfield. With the theatre on the corner it would have been a perfect backdrop for a present day car show down main street….sorta like a Back to the 50’s type scene! ;–)
In a previous post I mentioned that my husband knows the man who bought the Paramount sign….he still owns it today, but it is one of the original signs and not the curved sign that still exists on the building that isn’t used as a theatre anymore. And now there is a link to this Paramount on CT.
WSL: This theatre site hasn’t been that active of late so I am so thrilled that you have posted and offered your personal memories as that is all we have of this theatre now so please continue to share your Grand memories. I’m assuming that you aren’t old enough to remember Mr. Mascaro, but perhaps Mr. Tetreault. Tom also worked at Eason Hall when the large room in the back was used as a roller rink. I grew up spending alot of time in roller skates so recall those days and also attending a Christmas Ball at Eason Hall one year with my future husband.
WSL: Thank you for your wonderful memories of the Grand theatre which I, personally miss and wish it were still with us today! I do have a question to ask of you at the moment….was the marquee curved or rectangular? I recall it being curved yet in some b/w photos that a friend of mine sent me that he copied from library photos it was not curved. I did have a nice chat several weeks ago with an Erie PA man who used to own the theatre, Joe Kirsch and he told me that after the semi-truck(s) hit the marquee it was made smaller. And did you work for Mr. Kirsch? I plan to meet him this summer along with the last manager, Tom Tetreault who still lives in Westfield.
And this summer I plan to make a trip to Skaneateles for a vintage boat show and will be traveling through Auburn enroute to Skan. so will most definitely stop and look at the Schine. It will truly ‘shine’ when restoration is completed!
“The building will never be destroyed it is under the watchful eye of the State Historic Preservation Organization….It can only be preserved.” Now that’s what we want to read in regards to all of these vintage cinemas!
The following quote from a theatre friend’s email: “Yes, I read all the comments about the Grand Theater in Westfield. It is a real shame what happened to that theater. Westfield today is not complete without it.” I couldn’t have said it better!
klimkm: It sure does help and does put a big smile on my face this a.m. so you have “made my day”. And in regards to another theatre called the Tivoli in Mishawaka Indiana…even though it was recently demolished the signature window WAS SAVED according to a recent email from a Suan Baxter so she “made my day” today also!
Brian: THANKS! A Conrad Schmitt re-creation!
TC: THANKS!
Just read about the theatre holding an Academy Awards Night. If anyone went, let us know how much fun it must have been! :–)
WSL: Do you also have any interior photos as I would truly love to see them! :–)
WSL: I could write all day about my Grand thoughts, but it won’t bring it back to us. My hometown visit this spring with Tom T. and with a member of the demolition committee should prove to be most interesting! Besides talking to these men I plan to meet with one of the former owners, Joe Kirsch who lives in Erie PA and whose family recently owns the Kirsch Drive-In in Corry PA.
WSL: I’ve posted many times on this CT website, but the one theatre that is the closest to my heart is the Grand so when I receive notice of a Grand comment that puts a smile on my face though bittersweet as we are discussing a special theatre that is no longer with us. Westfield is a special town in western NYS and the Grand marquee could be seen from almost anywhere on main street so it brought a special atmosphere or aura to the area. And I’m quite sure that most folks of my generation have fond memories of going through the doors of that theatre to see any number of movies starring Hollywood’s best of the best. I do feel that the lighted curved marquee is what truly made the Grand so grand!
WSL: Also any memories of a basement with a bowling alley? My former owner contact tells me there wasn’t one.
WSL: Thanks again for your follow-up Grand memories. Was so nice of Tom to give you a key so you could take your daughter through Westfield’s former ‘house of dreams’! And to read that what Tom said in reference to the town museum wanting to put a projector in the McClurg Mansion was very nice though I don’t believe it was ever done. Do you have any information on what may have happened to some of the interior items such as seats, concession stand, popcorn machine, projectors, etc.? I have mentioned this before, but will mention it again here….I have one of the cement smooth tiles that were part of the exterior walls as a Westfield man was selling them for $1 each so I have that part of the Grand which is some comfort. I don’t recall the wall fabric that you mentioned with the theatre masks, but enjoyed reading your description. I only wish I could have taken one last tour through the building before it was taken from us! I would be very interested in having a set of the Grand photos so would be willing to pay for them. Are the photos digital or 35mm? If they are digital, you could just email them to me. My email address is on my profile page, but it is Upon receiving an email from you I will provide my mailing address. Thanks so very much.
I have friends who are seeing “Jukebox Journey” tonight!
A friend of mine in Crossville sent this email in regards to their Palace…..“It is definitely in our little town. We have gone to many things there since we have lived here. They have a full schedule of activities with Christmas shows, political debates, performances by all kinds of show people, plays, band concerts,etc. so it’s very much an asset to the community and the restoration is wonderful.”
Does anyone have information about the Palace in Akron. Recently I was told about this theatre. BTW, anyone in the Canton area would know about a band called Jimmy and the Soulblazers who have performed at the Palace/Akron with Gladys Knight and the Pips!
Good question and perhaps someone from the Fox camp(s) will give us all an answer, in time. I’ve not been to the Fox theatres in Detroit and St. Louis, but I have seen to the Fox in Atlanta and it is breathtaking!
Joe just mentioned a furnace room in the basement.
WSL: When having a recent phone conversation with Joe Kirsch he told me that as far as he knew there never was a bowling alley in the Grand basement even though that has been the story told for years! What can you tell me?
“for in that magic moment you could feel the excitement of our past and present fellow villagers as they, in their respective eras, were drawn to that magic palace in downtown Westfield; a place where everyone could escape the troubles of the world and dream for a couple of hours.” Those words were passed onto Joe Kirsch to read as I know he’ll appreciate your memories! I don’t recall how many years he was the owner, but perhaps he was your boss when you worked at the Grand. When I close my eyes, I can see the lighted marquee at the end of main street on a crystal clear winter night with maybe a light snow falling down. If only it were still there today, it would add so much charm to the Town of Westfield. With the theatre on the corner it would have been a perfect backdrop for a present day car show down main street….sorta like a Back to the 50’s type scene! ;–)
In a previous post I mentioned that my husband knows the man who bought the Paramount sign….he still owns it today, but it is one of the original signs and not the curved sign that still exists on the building that isn’t used as a theatre anymore. And now there is a link to this Paramount on CT.
WSL: This theatre site hasn’t been that active of late so I am so thrilled that you have posted and offered your personal memories as that is all we have of this theatre now so please continue to share your Grand memories. I’m assuming that you aren’t old enough to remember Mr. Mascaro, but perhaps Mr. Tetreault. Tom also worked at Eason Hall when the large room in the back was used as a roller rink. I grew up spending alot of time in roller skates so recall those days and also attending a Christmas Ball at Eason Hall one year with my future husband.
KenRoe: Thanks so very much as my favorite decor is ART DECO and my favorite theatre architect is EBERSON!
WSL: Thank you for your wonderful memories of the Grand theatre which I, personally miss and wish it were still with us today! I do have a question to ask of you at the moment….was the marquee curved or rectangular? I recall it being curved yet in some b/w photos that a friend of mine sent me that he copied from library photos it was not curved. I did have a nice chat several weeks ago with an Erie PA man who used to own the theatre, Joe Kirsch and he told me that after the semi-truck(s) hit the marquee it was made smaller. And did you work for Mr. Kirsch? I plan to meet him this summer along with the last manager, Tom Tetreault who still lives in Westfield.
Thanks Barbara! I have now put it into memory and written it on my calendar! So myself and many other CT fellow members will be watching!!!!!
And this summer I plan to make a trip to Skaneateles for a vintage boat show and will be traveling through Auburn enroute to Skan. so will most definitely stop and look at the Schine. It will truly ‘shine’ when restoration is completed!
Were there many Eberson/Art Deco theatres built? Most of the Eberson theatres that I’ve been reading about on this site are Eberson/atmospheric.
“The building will never be destroyed it is under the watchful eye of the State Historic Preservation Organization….It can only be preserved.” Now that’s what we want to read in regards to all of these vintage cinemas!