Cherry Grove Community House and Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cherry Grove Community House and Theatre
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 180 Bayview Walk, Cherry Grove, New York |
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| Built | 1947 |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000373 |
| Added to NRHP | June 4, 2013 |
The Cherry Grove Community House and Theatre is a historic building in Cherry Grove, New York. It played an important part in making Cherry Grove a welcoming town for a special community of people.
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A Look at Fire Island's Past
Fire Island is a long, thin island off the coast of Long Island in New York. It is called a barrier island because it protects the mainland from ocean storms. In 1869, a train line called the Long Island Rail Road reached nearby Patchogue. This made it easier for people to visit Fire Island.
Soon, ferries started carrying visitors to the island. By the early 1900s, Fire Island had several vacation spots. Cherry Grove was one of these popular places. By the late 1920s, the island became a very popular and welcoming spot for a unique community of people.
Building a Community Hub
The people living in Cherry Grove formed a group to help run their community. This group was like a local government, even though it wasn't official. In 1944, this group became the Cherry Grove Property Owners Association. They had different committees for things like money, art, the beach, and fire safety.
In September 1945, the group decided to buy an old carriage house. They wanted to turn it into a community house for everyone. After fixing it up, they held a meeting in January 1946. They set up a board of directors to manage the new community house.
This building was used for important town meetings, like elections. It also hosted fun social events. These included religious gatherings and local fairs. Residents often gave items to help furnish the building.
The Birth of a Unique Theater
In September 1948, the Property Owners Association started an "Artistic Activity Group." This group began putting on plays at the community house. At that time, there were no other live theater shows on the island. Soon, Saturday night shows became very popular because so many people wanted to see them.
Famous theater people helped with the shows. These included Frank Carrington, who started the Paper Mill Playhouse. Also, Cheryl Crawford, who helped create the Actors Studio. Even the famous writer Carson McCullers helped with creative ideas. Well-known actors from Broadway and Hollywood also performed. These included Peggy Fears, Nancy Walker, and Betty Garde.
In 1948, another fundraiser helped pay for a big addition to the theater. The Cherry Grove Theatre became a safe and creative place. It was a place where the special community of Cherry Grove residents and their friends could express themselves freely. They could put on plays that talked about issues important to their community.
A Historic Landmark
The Cherry Grove Theatre is the oldest theater in the United States that has continuously put on shows for this special community during the summer. It was recognized as a very important historical site. The National Park Service added it to the National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 2013.
It is one of only a few places listed because of its connection to the history of this community. However, many other similar sites have been identified as important candidates for this honor.
See also
