A fundraising campaign to restore and improve Warren’s 125-year-old “cultural jewel†began Wednesday evening. Eighty people were at the Struthers Library Theatre to hear details of the 125th Anniversary Fund Capital Campaign, which has a goal of $1.25 million. Executive Director Marcy O’Brien described it as something “we all personally believe in and that is worthy of our support.†She said the list of restoration work and improvements “is not a wish list, but an opportunity to become a big, grown-up theater.†Exterior work will include painting, mortar repair, repairs to the roof, wooden turrets, tower and gables, and cleaning of the limestone. Interior work will include an elevator to the mezzanine and Library Room, a new heating system, repair plaster and carpet that has been water damaged, finish replacement of windows, refinish wood floors, upgrade the kitchen in the Library Room, and replace old office equipment and carpeting. O’Brien also emphasized the need to improve handicapped accessibility in the back three rows of the theatre. She said “by taking out some of the seating and putting in accessible seating for seniors as well as handicapped, it will make it will make it a more enjoyable experience for them.†“The elevator is also a must because it is limiting the use of our beautiful room upstairs for not only seniors, but also for caterers that do not want to haul food up and down three flights of stairs,†she said. O’Brien also talked about the 125-year-old, wooden 50-foot ‘fly system’ onto which curtains and large lights plus pulleys used to lift actors and props are attached. “Professional acting groups do not want to hang valuable sets as well as actors on unsteady equipment,†said O’Brien. “We have had some amazing shows here in the past and I know that we could have the best talent come if we had a steel grid support.†‘Intelligent’ lights are also needed, said O’Brien, noting that the current equipment hasn’t been replaced since the Centennial Campaign in 1983. “The programmable lighting and follow spotlights will allow us to simply type up where the lights need to be and stick the disk to the computer,†said O’Brien. “It will relieve the headache of trying to repair the old lights.†Co-chairpersons on the fund-raising campaign are Howard R. Ferguson Jr. and his wife Ann. “The Library Theatre is not only a springboard for our young, but also for our not-so-young,†said Ann Ferguson. “It is also not simply just a place for acting, but also a place to learn music, improvisation, costume and set design, writing skills as well as dance techniques. It’s a home to many acting groups both professional and non-professional.†Howard Ferguson said the Library Theatre defines the Warren community “in a positive fashion†and brings “definition to the community.†“Clearly the Library Theatre speaks for itself,†he said. “It is just one of the venues that makes Warren County the great place that it is. It is a cultural jewel.†O’Brien said the Capital Campaign committee will take approximately nine to ten weeks to gather three-year pledges. She said persons with questions about the campaign or would like to make a donation can call the theatre office at 723-7231. Culmination of the Capital Campaign will be marked with a gala celebration at the theatre on Saturday, Oct. 18.
The trip to the Carlisle Theatre and the Hershey Theatre has been canceled, but the trip to the Akron Civic will go forward on October 11th which is the organ concert date!
It would be a shame to think that the original walls or ceiling are hidden under false walls or drop ceilings! Hornell lost a truly great theatre, architecturally!
Lost: I found my way here after visiting the Colgate University campus via the internet. A neighbor of mine is a graduate of Colgate and wears his school colors….proudly. Sorry to read that it is triplexed though was pleased to read that the Class of ‘56 contributed to the marquee project.
This site provided some Wurlitzer/Akron Civic information. And I did locate the ED’s email address so have sent Mr. Parr a notice of my wanting a tour of the Akron Civic and its atmospheric charm!
I probably posted this before, but to think that the very first Eberson “atmospheric” theatre ever built was then demolished by the City of Houston! Shame!
“Of the three Eberson theatres surviving in Ohio, this is by far the largest and most elaborate.” I have seen the Palace in Canton, Ohio but not the one in Marion, Ohio so will be anxious to see this atmospheric and its “stars”!
Lost: I found this link since I just finished reading a book that mentions Hanford CA and its theatre marquee. Very nice.
…..or any degree of regard for…history! Let us know if you can!
Sure hope they did, if they had regard for….history!
Never knew that Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame was originally from Binghamton.
http://www.strutherslibrarytheatre.com/
A fundraising campaign to restore and improve Warren’s 125-year-old “cultural jewel†began Wednesday evening. Eighty people were at the Struthers Library Theatre to hear details of the 125th Anniversary Fund Capital Campaign, which has a goal of $1.25 million. Executive Director Marcy O’Brien described it as something “we all personally believe in and that is worthy of our support.†She said the list of restoration work and improvements “is not a wish list, but an opportunity to become a big, grown-up theater.†Exterior work will include painting, mortar repair, repairs to the roof, wooden turrets, tower and gables, and cleaning of the limestone. Interior work will include an elevator to the mezzanine and Library Room, a new heating system, repair plaster and carpet that has been water damaged, finish replacement of windows, refinish wood floors, upgrade the kitchen in the Library Room, and replace old office equipment and carpeting. O’Brien also emphasized the need to improve handicapped accessibility in the back three rows of the theatre. She said “by taking out some of the seating and putting in accessible seating for seniors as well as handicapped, it will make it will make it a more enjoyable experience for them.†“The elevator is also a must because it is limiting the use of our beautiful room upstairs for not only seniors, but also for caterers that do not want to haul food up and down three flights of stairs,†she said. O’Brien also talked about the 125-year-old, wooden 50-foot ‘fly system’ onto which curtains and large lights plus pulleys used to lift actors and props are attached. “Professional acting groups do not want to hang valuable sets as well as actors on unsteady equipment,†said O’Brien. “We have had some amazing shows here in the past and I know that we could have the best talent come if we had a steel grid support.†‘Intelligent’ lights are also needed, said O’Brien, noting that the current equipment hasn’t been replaced since the Centennial Campaign in 1983. “The programmable lighting and follow spotlights will allow us to simply type up where the lights need to be and stick the disk to the computer,†said O’Brien. “It will relieve the headache of trying to repair the old lights.†Co-chairpersons on the fund-raising campaign are Howard R. Ferguson Jr. and his wife Ann. “The Library Theatre is not only a springboard for our young, but also for our not-so-young,†said Ann Ferguson. “It is also not simply just a place for acting, but also a place to learn music, improvisation, costume and set design, writing skills as well as dance techniques. It’s a home to many acting groups both professional and non-professional.†Howard Ferguson said the Library Theatre defines the Warren community “in a positive fashion†and brings “definition to the community.†“Clearly the Library Theatre speaks for itself,†he said. “It is just one of the venues that makes Warren County the great place that it is. It is a cultural jewel.†O’Brien said the Capital Campaign committee will take approximately nine to ten weeks to gather three-year pledges. She said persons with questions about the campaign or would like to make a donation can call the theatre office at 723-7231. Culmination of the Capital Campaign will be marked with a gala celebration at the theatre on Saturday, Oct. 18.
The Struthers Library Theatre will hold an evening gala set to celebrate 125th anniversary on October 18th.
Yes, but it just won’t be the same without sitting in an Eberson atmospheric atmosphere as the Mighty Wurlitzer plays.
Lost: I agree….the ULTIMATE insult! BTW, plans have changed and I won’t be making the Akron Civic Theatre trip so maybe next Spring.
This “was” an astounding theatre! Why was it demolished? And to think it is now “a parking lot for a convenience store”.
The trip to the Carlisle Theatre and the Hershey Theatre has been canceled, but the trip to the Akron Civic will go forward on October 11th which is the organ concert date!
“It was a cool looking theatre. Just wasn’t taken care of.” Sad scenerio!
It would be a shame to think that the original walls or ceiling are hidden under false walls or drop ceilings! Hornell lost a truly great theatre, architecturally!
BillKays: If you get inside, let us know.
Lost: I found my way here after visiting the Colgate University campus via the internet. A neighbor of mine is a graduate of Colgate and wears his school colors….proudly. Sorry to read that it is triplexed though was pleased to read that the Class of ‘56 contributed to the marquee project.
http://theatreorgans.com/au/opus/
This site provided some Wurlitzer/Akron Civic information. And I did locate the ED’s email address so have sent Mr. Parr a notice of my wanting a tour of the Akron Civic and its atmospheric charm!
And I would love to see exterior and interior, particularly, photos of this FIRST EBERSON ATMOSPHERIC THEATRE!
I probably posted this before, but to think that the very first Eberson “atmospheric” theatre ever built was then demolished by the City of Houston! Shame!
Lost: You read my mind! LOL! I will call the box office on Monday as they don’t seem to provide an email address.
“Of the three Eberson theatres surviving in Ohio, this is by far the largest and most elaborate.” I have seen the Palace in Canton, Ohio but not the one in Marion, Ohio so will be anxious to see this atmospheric and its “stars”!
I wonder why the name Loew’s wasn’t kept along with the marquee?
I’ll be returning from Hershey on October 11…darn!
Can anyone give more information about this theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer?
I will be traveling to the Akron OH area on October 14th so will check out this theatre and report back!
Interesting to read in the article that Brian Wilson had an estate in St. Charles! Anyone know more about this?