Cannonball, if this is a possibility for you, I would love to help with the restoration project. I have been in the theater several times – both when operational and three times since, via the Arts Council. I know the building quite well, as does Jamestownguy. Please keep me posted on your progress toward acquisition. Also, I should tell you that I have considered purchasing the building and have spoken with Turner Brokers and the Director of the Arts Council about this – they will sell it for a song to the right person with the right plan… Best of luck!
Sadly, the reality is that what remains of the Winter Garden is a rapidly deteriorating one-screen movie house with an extensive history. Perhaps the greatest loss and arguably the start of its demise, occured after the last fire when a number of cost saving decisions were made that removed the ornamentation and converted a once grand theater into a very basic and plain one-screen movie house. No movie that I know of can demand a 1,000 seats – at least not on regular basis. Consequentially, the only movie I can forsee playing there is “The Money Pit” with Tom Hanks! If the theater is restored to anything less than a rendition of its original design, history will likely repeat itself and the inefficient building will fail repeatedly. Then again, can this town support two grand theaters? However, if anyone is interested in such a restoration, I would be more than willing to support that in terms of time and energy. I just can’t afford to be the one to sign on the dotted line. Time is of the essence and if something isn’t done in the very near future, all that will remain of the Winter Garden are grand memories…
I have been in the Winter Garden three times over the past couple of years (most recently, Spring 2007). I volunteered for the Arts Council a number of years ago and they have been more than accommodating in allowing me to tour the old theater, which I frequented as a child. I have investigated all areas of the building – projection room, balcony, main house, stage, “basement”, and “catwalk”. There is a main roof drain located stage left that has cracked and has caused extensive water damage to that region of the main house (as indicated in one of the above attached photo links). Large pieces of the plaster on the walls and ceiling have fallen. Much of the house lighting has been removed (with the exception of some recessed lighting under the balcony). The majority of the seats are still in tact, however, the fabric has sustained substantial dry rot. The previous owners installed a bank of air handlers on stage (a couple feet behind the main screen) rather than repairing/ replacing the original equipment in the “basement”. The screen is in tact, but has a couple of tears. The projection equipment is still in place, with the exception of the sound equipment. The restrooms, labeled “Kings” and “Queens” are in fair condition. Both ticket counters are still in tact, along with the concession area. All in all, the theater is largely unchanged from when it closed, with the exception of the effects of time. I have spoken with the Arts Council and the Realtor, and the theater can be obtained for a very reasonable cost. However, part of this is contingent upon the plans for the building. I have tried to justify the purchase of this building, but the cost required to restore it and bring it to code exceeds my individual abilities. I would be more than interested in speaking with anyone who is interested in the acquiring the facility. I would love to see this theater functional once again – as a one-screen theater, stage performances, etc. The show must go on!
Cannonball, if this is a possibility for you, I would love to help with the restoration project. I have been in the theater several times – both when operational and three times since, via the Arts Council. I know the building quite well, as does Jamestownguy. Please keep me posted on your progress toward acquisition. Also, I should tell you that I have considered purchasing the building and have spoken with Turner Brokers and the Director of the Arts Council about this – they will sell it for a song to the right person with the right plan… Best of luck!
Well done jamestownguy – your efforts are to be commended!
This Christmas Eve markes the Winter Garden’s 95 anniversary…
Personally, I think Jamestownguy should get this show on the road! :)
Sadly, the reality is that what remains of the Winter Garden is a rapidly deteriorating one-screen movie house with an extensive history. Perhaps the greatest loss and arguably the start of its demise, occured after the last fire when a number of cost saving decisions were made that removed the ornamentation and converted a once grand theater into a very basic and plain one-screen movie house. No movie that I know of can demand a 1,000 seats – at least not on regular basis. Consequentially, the only movie I can forsee playing there is “The Money Pit” with Tom Hanks! If the theater is restored to anything less than a rendition of its original design, history will likely repeat itself and the inefficient building will fail repeatedly. Then again, can this town support two grand theaters? However, if anyone is interested in such a restoration, I would be more than willing to support that in terms of time and energy. I just can’t afford to be the one to sign on the dotted line. Time is of the essence and if something isn’t done in the very near future, all that will remain of the Winter Garden are grand memories…
If anyone has any interior photos at any point, I would be honored to see them!
I have been in the Winter Garden three times over the past couple of years (most recently, Spring 2007). I volunteered for the Arts Council a number of years ago and they have been more than accommodating in allowing me to tour the old theater, which I frequented as a child. I have investigated all areas of the building – projection room, balcony, main house, stage, “basement”, and “catwalk”. There is a main roof drain located stage left that has cracked and has caused extensive water damage to that region of the main house (as indicated in one of the above attached photo links). Large pieces of the plaster on the walls and ceiling have fallen. Much of the house lighting has been removed (with the exception of some recessed lighting under the balcony). The majority of the seats are still in tact, however, the fabric has sustained substantial dry rot. The previous owners installed a bank of air handlers on stage (a couple feet behind the main screen) rather than repairing/ replacing the original equipment in the “basement”. The screen is in tact, but has a couple of tears. The projection equipment is still in place, with the exception of the sound equipment. The restrooms, labeled “Kings” and “Queens” are in fair condition. Both ticket counters are still in tact, along with the concession area. All in all, the theater is largely unchanged from when it closed, with the exception of the effects of time. I have spoken with the Arts Council and the Realtor, and the theater can be obtained for a very reasonable cost. However, part of this is contingent upon the plans for the building. I have tried to justify the purchase of this building, but the cost required to restore it and bring it to code exceeds my individual abilities. I would be more than interested in speaking with anyone who is interested in the acquiring the facility. I would love to see this theater functional once again – as a one-screen theater, stage performances, etc. The show must go on!