I want to thank Mary for her help. Thanks to information she had, I was able to learn even more about the theater, and the men (and women) who were behind the Winter Garden. Every little clue reveals yet another part of the picture of this wonderful old theater.
Last night I spoke on the phone with a reporter from the Jamestown Post-Journal, Patrick Fanelli. This morning, he had an article updating the status of the efforts for the theater…on the Front Page. I am the Michael Kenney referred to in the article. :) Here is the link…
Mary, I have just sent you an email in regards to your comment. If you do not see it, please check your spam filter for an email from dakroland @ mac.com. I look forward to speaking with you. :) ~Dak
The building is selling for about $20,000, but to properly update the building, gut and upgrade the interior, restore the facade and reinstall the marquee (which was the counter balance to the balcony), it would take an investment of several million dollars. My group looked into it, and were very excited to see if we could purchase the place…but we would have needed a HUGE investment of money, and unfortunately, there wasn’t any way that we could see our small group getting that kind of funding.
It’s a common misunderstanding, but the original blueprints I have in my possession, as well as the entries in the Jamestown City Directories all have the name written as “Winter Garden”. Also, the advertisements dating from it’s Grand Opening in 1913 all have the name written as “Winter Garden”.
Very cool. Thank you Patsy and Ken. You asked about the original owners and the architects. The original owners were Marshal Peterson and Michael Woods of the Mozart Amusement Company. (confirmed Jamestown City Directory 1914)
The theater opened it’s doors on Christmas eve, December 24th 1913. (Jamestown Evening Journal December 24th, 1913 edition)
The architects were a local Jamestown firm called Freeburg & Fidler and constructed by the Leo Ludwig Construction Company. (original blueprints provided by Charles & Kathy Ludwig of Ludwig Auction & Realty.)
The 1950 renovations were designed by a Henry Blatner of Albany NY.
Thereis a LOT of history that I have for the documentary I’m working on. Right now it’s all research for the moment, but hopefully soon, when I have collected enough footage and pictures, I can begin assembling a small film.
Movie Bob, please contact me through email. It’s my ID on this site, followed by @mac.com. I would love to see any pictures you may have. (Also I am certain that Gus' daughter would be very interested as well :)) Thank you so much.
I have been doing a lot of research on this theater recently as part of a project of which I am involved. I have uncovered a lot of it’s history and I’d like to help correct and add to this record. If Lost Memory could contact me, I would greatly appreciate it. It’s my ID on this site, followed by @mac.com.
An item of note… The theater’s official name is two words, “Winter Garden”, not ‘Wintergarden’.
I am still researching much of the theater’s early history, and would love to speak with ANYONE who has information, worked there, knew the former long-time manager “Uncle” Gus Nestle…I’d be greatly appreciative. I’ve interviewed his daughter, unearthed several unseen photos, and found the names of the original owners, architechs, the architech of it’s renovation in 1950, and the names of the companies that owned the theaters from around 1939 through 1991 when Dipson theaters closed it. What I need are the little bits inbetween. The details. If you can help, please contact me!
I want to thank Mary for her help. Thanks to information she had, I was able to learn even more about the theater, and the men (and women) who were behind the Winter Garden. Every little clue reveals yet another part of the picture of this wonderful old theater.
Last night I spoke on the phone with a reporter from the Jamestown Post-Journal, Patrick Fanelli. This morning, he had an article updating the status of the efforts for the theater…on the Front Page. I am the Michael Kenney referred to in the article. :) Here is the link…
View link
Stay tuned for a future article that will delve into the history of the theater that I’ve been able to uncover so far.
Mary, I have just sent you an email in regards to your comment. If you do not see it, please check your spam filter for an email from dakroland @ mac.com. I look forward to speaking with you. :) ~Dak
The building is selling for about $20,000, but to properly update the building, gut and upgrade the interior, restore the facade and reinstall the marquee (which was the counter balance to the balcony), it would take an investment of several million dollars. My group looked into it, and were very excited to see if we could purchase the place…but we would have needed a HUGE investment of money, and unfortunately, there wasn’t any way that we could see our small group getting that kind of funding.
It’s a common misunderstanding, but the original blueprints I have in my possession, as well as the entries in the Jamestown City Directories all have the name written as “Winter Garden”. Also, the advertisements dating from it’s Grand Opening in 1913 all have the name written as “Winter Garden”.
Patsy, please check your email. :)
Very cool. Thank you Patsy and Ken. You asked about the original owners and the architects. The original owners were Marshal Peterson and Michael Woods of the Mozart Amusement Company. (confirmed Jamestown City Directory 1914)
The theater opened it’s doors on Christmas eve, December 24th 1913. (Jamestown Evening Journal December 24th, 1913 edition)
The architects were a local Jamestown firm called Freeburg & Fidler and constructed by the Leo Ludwig Construction Company. (original blueprints provided by Charles & Kathy Ludwig of Ludwig Auction & Realty.)
The 1950 renovations were designed by a Henry Blatner of Albany NY.
Thereis a LOT of history that I have for the documentary I’m working on. Right now it’s all research for the moment, but hopefully soon, when I have collected enough footage and pictures, I can begin assembling a small film.
Movie Bob, please contact me through email. It’s my ID on this site, followed by @mac.com. I would love to see any pictures you may have. (Also I am certain that Gus' daughter would be very interested as well :)) Thank you so much.
I have been doing a lot of research on this theater recently as part of a project of which I am involved. I have uncovered a lot of it’s history and I’d like to help correct and add to this record. If Lost Memory could contact me, I would greatly appreciate it. It’s my ID on this site, followed by @mac.com.
An item of note… The theater’s official name is two words, “Winter Garden”, not ‘Wintergarden’.
I am still researching much of the theater’s early history, and would love to speak with ANYONE who has information, worked there, knew the former long-time manager “Uncle” Gus Nestle…I’d be greatly appreciative. I’ve interviewed his daughter, unearthed several unseen photos, and found the names of the original owners, architechs, the architech of it’s renovation in 1950, and the names of the companies that owned the theaters from around 1939 through 1991 when Dipson theaters closed it. What I need are the little bits inbetween. The details. If you can help, please contact me!