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 special place in Ithaca, New York. It's a historic theater that can hold 1600 people. Many different events happen here. You can see live bands, exciting plays, funny comedy shows, and even old silent movies. It's a very important part of the community.
The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it's recognized as an important historical building.
Contents
The State Theatre's Story
How the Theatre Began
The building where the State Theatre stands was built a long time ago, in 1915. It wasn't a theater at first! It was an auto garage and car dealership for the Ithaca Security Company. A local architect named Henry N. Hinckley designed it.
In 1928, the Berinstein family bought the building. They wanted to turn it into a grand cinema and vaudeville palace. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts. They hired architect Victor Rigaumont to help. He added beautiful designs inspired by old styles and even Cornell University. The new theater opened its doors on December 6, 1928.
Changes Over Time
The State Theatre changed as entertainment changed. It started with vaudeville shows. In the early 1930s, movies became very popular. So, the theater mostly showed films.
After World War II, things got harder for downtown movie palaces like the State Theatre. People started watching television more. Also, new movie theaters opened in the suburbs. To keep up, the owners added a second movie screen in the 1970s. They divided the balcony from the main seating area.
Saving the Theatre
Sadly, the theater closed in the 1980s. It had money problems and needed a lot of repairs. It was even owned by another group for a while. In 1997, the City of Ithaca said the theater was unsafe. The roof was damaged, the heating system was broken, and plaster was falling. The electrical systems were also very old.
People in Ithaca were very worried. Downtown Ithaca used to have seven big theaters. The State Theatre was the last one left. It was the only cinema and vaudeville palace still standing.
In May 1998, with lots of community help, an organization bought the building. They started the State Theatre Restoration Project. Staff and volunteers worked hard to fix the building. They replaced the roof, repaired the walls, and updated the electrical and heating systems. They also added a fire detection system.
Many people helped with this project. Money came from the city, foundations, and private donors. Leaders from businesses, arts, and politics all got involved. In 1999, the American Institute of Architects called the State Theatre one of New York State's most important buildings. A few years later, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The first part of the restoration project finished in December 2001. After years of hard work, the State Theatre was safe again. It reopened on December 5, 2001.
In the spring of 2009, a new non-profit group called The State Theatre of Ithaca, Inc. bought the theater. This group helps make sure the theater stays open for everyone to enjoy.
The State Theatre Today
Today, the State Theatre has a team of people who work there. This includes an Executive Director, a Marketing Director, an Event Manager, and others. A group of twelve directors helps guide the theater. Many volunteers also help out. They work as ushers, take tickets, sell snacks, help in the office, and even assist backstage.
