Strand Theatre
32 N. Whiteoak Street,
Kutztown,
PA
19530
32 N. Whiteoak Street,
Kutztown,
PA
19530
3 people
favorited this theater
Built as a single screen in 1912 known as Herman’s Playhouse. I was renamed Strand Theatre in 1927. The Strand Theatre has been in continuous operation since that time. Over the years the lobby and auditorium were enlarged. In the late-1970’s or early-1980’s the theatre was twinned by walling off the balcony area. Today the Strand Theatre serves primarily as an art house.
Due to the death of the owner, the Strand Theatre was put up ‘For Sale’ in June 2022 and was sold on February 21, 2023. Its' future is to be decided.
Contributed by
Jonathan M. Crist
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The Strand currently has 373 seats. Cinema One has 265 seats and Cinema Two has 108 seats.
Updated website and Facebook page for Strand Theatre.
http://www.kutztownstrand.com/?fbclid=IwAR0FvE0jmKD—NsnEDytOJKxMW83nHEKOEiH4BpdEyyezHSF8mWsWdHbuKM
https://www.facebook.com/Kutztown-Strand-Theatre-145712280047/?tn=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARAsftxqFXKdllpWGn_BPem-mBWTfjSXOPU3fsLfCHl_DX8jVsmguedAawHXJ_qQKb1za5Se20htfxG4
The Strand Theatre was sold weeks ago after the owner died, and speculation from Facebook comments says that the Strand will most likely NOT be showing movies anymore, but this has not been confirmed yet. The possibilities are that it would either be an art gallery/studio or a performing arts/dinner theatre venue. I believe June 30 was its last day of operation.
The theatre has not been sold as the estate has not been settled.
The following history is courtesy of the Kutztown Historical Society and Dr. Brendan D. Strasser:
The Strand Theatre had its beginnings in 1908 as the Kintescope Arcade in what is now the Kutztown Tavern building at 272 W. Main Street. In 1912 a dedicated theatre building called Herman’s Playhouse was constructed around the corner from the former main street operation at 32 Whiteoak Street - which is the theatre’s present location and where it was operated ever since its construction.
During the 110 years there have only been 3 owners of the Strand Theatre Building in Kutztown:
Paul A. Herman (1908-1946) Lawrence W. Fenstermacher (1946-1969) Paul J. Angstadt (1969-2022)
Paul A. Herman leased the theatre building to Furman B. Willis from about 1927 to 1932. It was Willis who renamed the theatre “The Strand” starting in 1927. At that time Willis was also operating what was called the “Park Theatre” in the former Kutztown Auditorium at 134 E. Main Street.
In 1932 Theodore Nyquist and his Superior Amusement Co took over the Strand for a number of years. At some time Lawrence Fenstermacher began operating The Strand and later purchased the building.
Paul J. Angstadt died suddenly on June 20, 2022. The theatre is currently closed (hopefully only temporarily) pending the settlement of Paul J. Angstadt’s estate.
The Strand Theatre was sold on 02/21/2023 to the Northeastern Berks Main Street Foundation.
In April of 2023 the Foundation received a grant of 450,000 towards renovations/reimburse the purchase price.
No word as to what is going to happen.