Comments from jamestownguy

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jamestownguy
jamestownguy commented about Winter Garden Theater on Apr 7, 2008 at 11:44 am

i would love to post the photos but im no real sure how to get them online if i could find someone to assist me it would be my pleasure to post them. Also if anyone might be interested in person for coffee i would be more then happy to set up a time. Unfortunatly im going in for a major operation on the 29th april and my recovery will be aprox. 6 monthes so we would have to set up a time before that.

jamestownguy
jamestownguy commented about Winter Garden Theater on Apr 7, 2008 at 1:57 am

I’m moved to see action on this forgotten thearter. My grandmother took me to winter garden to see Gremlins. That wat the 1st time i had ever been inside and most recently i had the chance to tour the current state of the building with Ishmael528 in spring of 07. The condition is sad but totaly saveable. I had a chance to get a few photos while there. If you have interest in viewing them please contact me at or phone @ 716-407-1887. my name is Raymond and ill be more then happy to share. I would be so proud to one day walk up to the ticket booth and pay the price to see a show in the ol girl. I hope this project takes flight as this might be Winter Gardens last hope. Best Wishes!

jamestownguy
jamestownguy commented about Winter Garden Theater on Mar 30, 2008 at 2:00 pm

Well here we are march 30th 2008. I view the font page of the post journal and here is an full sorty on The Winter garden here in Jamestown. I’m moved that someone cares enough to do a story on the ol girl. I hope and prey that the snow ball is rolling and only gains strength to get is wonderful thearter/building off it’s feet and productive once again. Best wishes to Winter Garden!

jamestownguy
jamestownguy commented about Winter Garden Theater on Nov 24, 2007 at 3:31 am

Thank you both lshmael528 and Patsy for your wonderful encouragement and comments. I hope by getting the word out there will be additional members of CT.com along with some interest in the Winter Garden. I am trying to get Cable 8 News to do a segment as well. We will see.

jamestownguy
jamestownguy commented about Winter Garden Theater on Nov 20, 2007 at 8:40 pm

NOTE:I recently submitted alittle blog to the readers forum in the jamestown post-journal. I hope to gain more attention to the Winter Garden. It’s in todays PJ dated 11-20-07.

jamestownguy
jamestownguy commented about Winter Garden Theater on Nov 4, 2007 at 1:27 am

Well thank you lshmael528. Im overcome that you stongly belive that i can take this once thriveing thearter and make it take flight. Who knows what the future holds. It would be my pleasure to make a portion of Main st. glimmer once again with a well lit marquee and a productivly functioning thearter/performance house. One voice will not make the difference but if the community comes togeather on this project, the possibilitys could and can be endless.

jamestownguy
jamestownguy commented about Winter Garden Theater on Nov 2, 2007 at 8:50 pm

Patsy:to answer your above question YES i belive whole hartedly that the Winter Garden can one day be up and functioning. The project needs a motivated person with alot of support/volentiers. The Winter Garden’s opening was Dec. 24th 1913. Lets say the thearter opened in 1911, im sure it qualifys for the national list of historic buildings. Im also sure that grants are avail. to revive the theater.
As i read info. on other thearters people are getting grants to help with the project so i would say the only thing lacking is a motavated buyer with the skill of writeing grants. I have been a jamestown resident all my life and i would love to walk in and watch a good movie w/o driveing all the way to lakewood. Unfortuneately, time is of the essence and if that (special someone) don’t come along soon this wonderful peice of jamestown’s history will disapear. The phrase “USE IT OR LOOSE IT” is a threat by nature. The inside of the ole lady sadly displays this bone chilling fact. HELP!!!!!!!!!!

jamestownguy
jamestownguy commented about Winter Garden Theater on Nov 2, 2007 at 1:08 am

I have had the liberty of entering the Winter Garden only twice in my lifetime. The 1st time i attended a movie there i was 4. My grand mother took me to see the movie The Gremlins. As i recall she did not buy the tickets @ the booth outside under the (ONCE ERECT) marquee. I belive the tickets were bought inside. I belive the ticket booth was out of service @ that time.
I belive the marquee was removed from the front of the thearter some time between 1992-1994 as it was no longer safe to over hang the front walk. I with in the last 8 months had the pleasure of viewing the in side of the old grand thearter. The Winter Garden closed its doors in 1991 and its baffeling what time can do to a building. It’s in need of a major restoration project in side and out but i belive with the right person and funds the Winter Garden can once again be a productive bussiness and wonderful addition to Jamestown’s Main st. I think we all are inagreement that Main st. in downtown jamestown don’t need another – GAP – in our wonderful parade of buildings.
A friend of mine that lives in Fredonia,NY is quite involved with the Fredonia Fire Dept. and Paul was able to show some facts of The Winter Garden. The W.G. Suffered 2 major fires in it’s lifetime. The 1st being 1920 and the 2nd being 1969. Both fires gutted the building and after the fire of 1969 the thearter was not restored to its orginal state. It was repaired to function as just a reg. movie thearter. A good portion of the balcony was damaged and was not repaired to reg. condition and shorted the seating capasity of the tearter too only 1,000 seats.
While i explored the thearter this past spring i was able to get a few pictures of the inside. If anyone would like to view the photos please feel free to contact me at or 716-407-1887. If anyone has any other info. on The Winter Garden, please post any info. you might have. I would be moved to one day see the thearter reopen it’s doors and welcome the Jamestown and surrounding communitys to share a peice of it’s fine but hidden history!!!!