Scranton Cultural Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral
|
|
.jpg)
Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
|
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 416–420 North Washington Avenue Scranton, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Raymond Hood |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001259 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1997 |
The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is a special building in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It used to be called the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral. This center is a place for theatre, music, and many other fun activities.
Its main goal is to bring an old, beautiful building back to life. It wants to be a place for arts, learning, and community events for everyone. The Cultural Center hosts big Broadway shows, concerts, dance performances, and comedy acts. It also has art shows and classes for kids. People can even hold special events like proms and parties here. This important building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Scranton Cultural Center
The Scranton Cultural Center building was designed by a famous architect named Raymond Hood. He worked with other architects like Godley & Fouilhoux and Harry V. K. Henderson. The building was finished in 1930.
Building Design and Style
The building's style mixes two old types of architecture: Gothic Revival architecture and Romanesque Revival. It also has some modern Art Deco touches. The building was made to serve two purposes. It was a home for the Scottish Rite Cathedral and a Masonic lodge. But it also had public spaces like a theatre and a ballroom for everyone to use. The design of the building also honors Freemasonry, which is a fraternal organization.
What's Inside the Building?
The Masonic Temple has many different rooms and areas:
- The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Theatre: This large theatre can hold 1,866 people. It's used for concerts, talks, and Broadway shows.
- The Governor Robert P. Casey Library: A quiet place for reading.
- The Raymond Hood Room: This room used to be a bowling alley!
- The Junior Ballroom: This space is used for events and for the Children's and Performing Arts Academy. Kids have summer camps and after-school programs here.
- The Grand Ballroom: This huge room can hold 2,400 people for standing shows. It's a popular spot for weddings and big community events. It was once the biggest ballroom in the area.
- Shopland Hall: This is a smaller theatre and meeting hall on the fourth floor. It can seat 500 people.
- Craftsmen Hall: This room was originally a gaming and billiard room.
- Snyder and Gazda Hall: These rooms are used by the Masonic Fraternity.
Both the Weinberg Theatre and Shopland Hall have special Austin Organs. Most of the building is open for public use and can be rented for events. Visitors can take a tour to learn about the building's amazing architecture and how it's used today.
Exciting Performances and Events
The Cultural Center offers many different kinds of entertainment. It has hosted concerts by popular artists like Alice Cooper, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews, N Sync, Breaking Benjamin, Backstreet Boys, and Maroon 5.
Famous Shows and Artists
Comedians like Lewis Black and George Carlin have performed here. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Orchestra also plays at the center. The Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania has brought big Broadway tours to the venue for over 50 years. Some of these shows include "Rent," "Cats," "Mamma Mia!," "Les Miserables," "Jersey Boys," and "The Book of Mormon." In 2014, the center even premiered a new musical comedy called "The Happy Elf" by Harry Connick Jr.
Building Details and Size
Construction of the Masonic Temple began in 1927. It was built on the land where two old mansions used to stand. The building took three years to complete. The first meeting was held in the building on January 2, 1930. It was officially dedicated in May 1930.
How Big is the Building?
The building is made of Indiana limestone and has a strong steel frame. It is about 188,000 square feet (17,465 square meters) in size. The building has two theatres, many public and Masonic meeting rooms, and a grand ballroom. It also has offices and other areas. There are ten levels in the building. Five of these levels can be reached by elevator. The other levels include storage areas, dressing rooms, and a two-level basement.
Hidden Masonic Symbols
You can find symbols of Masonry all over the Masonic Temple. These symbols might not be obvious if you don't know what to look for. Shopland Hall, the smaller theatre on the fourth floor, has many Masonic symbols.
Symbols to Look For
Above the stage in Shopland Hall, you can see an image of the Crusade and shield designs. These are important symbols for the Masonic Fraternity. On the ceiling of the theatre, there are two-headed eagles. This symbol was introduced by Frederick of Prussia when the Scottish Rite was forming. The two-headed eagle and other symbols are carved into the outside of the building.
In the Robert P. Casey Library, there's a glass case with a shovel, a pick, and a crowbar. These are key symbols of the Freemasons. These tools were used in the special groundbreaking ceremony when the temple was being built. There's also a grandfather clock in the library with many Masonic symbols carved into its wood. These include the shovel, pick, and crowbar, as well as the square and compass symbol with the letter "G" in the middle.
Future Plans and Restoration
The Scranton Cultural Center started a big restoration project in the mid-1990s. This project costs millions of dollars. They updated the electrical systems and added air conditioning to the theatre, grand ballroom, and main lobby. They also added new restrooms that are easier for everyone to use. The old bowling lanes space was turned into the new Raymond Hood Room. The beautiful walls and ceilings of the ballroom were also repaired.
Recent and Upcoming Improvements
In 2014, the Junior Ballroom was updated. This created a better space for the new children and youth theatre programs and summer camps. In 2015, air conditioning was added to Shopland Hall and the third-floor lodge rooms. In the coming years, they plan to fix the roof and masonry. They will also upgrade the heating and cooling systems, improve the plumbing, and restore the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre, the main organ, and the stage mechanics.
