State Theater (Ithaca, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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State Theatre of Ithaca, Inc.
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 105-109 W. State St., Ithaca, New York |
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| Area | 0 acres (0 ha) |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Rigaumont, Victor A.; Hinckley, Henry N. |
| Architectural style | Collegiate Gothic |
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| NRHP reference No. | 96000613 |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1996 |
The State Theatre of Ithaca is a cool, old theater in Ithaca, New York. It has 1600 seats and is a popular spot for all kinds of shows. You can see live bands, exciting plays, funny comedy acts, and even old silent films here! This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, which means it's an important historical landmark.
The Amazing Story of the State Theatre
The building where the State Theatre stands today is quite old. It was first built in 1915. Back then, it wasn't a theater at all! It was an auto garage and car dealership called the Ithaca Security Company. A local architect named Henry N. Hinckley designed it.
In 1928, the Berinstein family bought the building. They had a big idea: to turn the car garage into a beautiful movie house and a place for live shows. They hired another architect, Victor Rigaumont, to make their dream come true. Rigaumont added fancy designs inspired by Moorish and Renaissance styles. He also included designs that reminded people of Cornell University. The grand opening night for the new theater was on December 6, 1928.
Over the years, the theater changed with the times. When movies became super popular in the early 1930s, the State Theatre mostly showed films. After World War II, things got tough for downtown theaters. Many people started watching TV or going to new movie theaters in the suburbs. To keep up, the State Theatre added a second movie screen in the 1970s. They did this by dividing the balcony from the main seating area.
Sadly, the theater closed in the 1980s. It needed a lot of repairs, and money was tight. For a while, another group owned it. But in 1997, the city said the theater was unsafe. The roof was badly damaged, the heating system was broken, and plaster was falling from the walls. People in Ithaca were very worried. The State Theatre was the last of seven grand old theaters in downtown Ithaca.
Saving the State Theatre
In May 1998, the community stepped in to help. A group bought the theater to save it. They started the State Theatre Restoration Project. Volunteers and staff from Historic Ithaca worked hard to fix the building. They replaced the roof, repaired the walls, updated the electrical systems, and fixed the heating.
Many people from the community, local businesses, and leaders helped raise money. In 1999, the American Institute of Architects called the State Theatre one of the most important buildings in New York State. A few years later, it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places.
By December 2001, the first phase of repairs was finished. After years of hard work, the State Theatre was safe to open again! It welcomed people back on December 5, 2001. In 2009, a new non-profit group called The State Theatre of Ithaca, Inc. bought the theater to keep it running for everyone.
The State Theatre Today
Today, the State Theatre is a busy place! It has a small team of staff members who help run everything. This includes an Executive Director, a Marketing Director, and an Event Manager. A group of twelve people also helps guide the theater as a board of directors.
Many amazing volunteers help out too! They work as ushers, take tickets, sell snacks, help in the office, and even assist backstage. Thanks to all these people, the State Theatre continues to be a vibrant place for entertainment and community events in Ithaca.
