Is this really closed? I can’t find info for it anywhere such as phone or website, but recent photos on Flickr show a lit-up marquee with shows being advertised. Is it maybe used by the university?
Old Ridgefield Playhouse’s run extended
Fate of historic Ridgefield theater on hold until summer’s end
By Robert Miller
Staff Writer
Updated: 07/16/2009 12:04:39 AM EDT
RIDGEFIELD — The old playhouse on Prospect Street — an aging relic, but part of the town’s streetscape for nearly 50 years — will be spared, at least through the summer.
“If we can save it, great,‘’ First Selectman Rudy Marconi said Monday. "If we can’t, it’ll be a sad day for Ridgefield.‘’
“It’s something all the stakeholders really need to look at,‘’ Chris Nolan, the director of Ridgefield Library, said Tuesday.
The building, owned by the library, had figured into its long-delayed plans for expansion. But in January, the library board decided the condition of the old theater had deteriorated past the point of its use as an addition.
Rather than continue to pay about $200,000 in taxes and upkeep, the board decided to raze it.
That upset many residents, who remember the theater as the town’s foremost movie house. The theater was added to the state’s Register of Historic Places and people began to discuss its salvation in earnest.
At the request of the library board, the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission granted a 65-day stay in the demolition permit, until Sept. 18. The library board is also asking the Board of Selectmen to defer its tax payments on the building.
Marconi said that should be enough time to create a subcommittee that will try to find ways to preserve the building. Marconi has said he’s had inquiries from people who would be willing to buy the building and restore it.
“There’s no agreement, nothing
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in writing,‘’ he said. "But there are interested parties.‘’
Marconi stressed Monday the interests of the library come first in town. But he also said saving a building with historic significance in the center of town is a worthy goal as well.
He said he’s received more than 130 calls, letters and e-mails about the fate of the theater, with most urging him to try to save the building.
That many not seem like a lot in a town of about 24,500 people, Marconi said, “but normally, I don’t get any.‘’
Nolan said delaying the fate of the old theater — which until recently had been used as an office of Webster Bank — gives the town a chance to look at the short-term and long-term issues facing the library.
That was the library board’s viewpoint when it discussed the theater with Marconi in June, she said. “We need to look at the issues globally.”
The long-term problem is that the town’s library building is too small, aging and not adequate for the library’s continually increasing use.
The library board has discussed expansion for about seven years.
“We have about 24,500 people in town,‘’ she said. "The population isn’t growing that much. The library just gets used more. And we’ve been facing issues of deferred maintenance.‘’
Marconi said, however, the recession may allow the town some breathing room to plan for the future.
“Everything’s on hold,‘’ he said.
Marconi said the town, having established a village district commission to preserve the look of the center of town, should also think of buildings like the old theater, which lies just outside the town’s historic district.
“This is a building that represents a lot of history in town,‘’ he said. "Once it’s gone, it’s gone. That street will never be the same. It will always look different.‘’
Contact Robert Miller
at
or at (203) 731-3345.
About the old playhouse The old Ridgefield Playhouse was: Constructed in 1940. Designed by renowned theater architect John Eberson. The only Colonial Revival-style building Eberson designed. Of the 160 theaters he designed, only 12 still stand. Orginally a movie theater. Built by local businessman A.J. Carnell, with the backing of the library, which sold Carnell the land for the theater. Townspeople enthusiastically purchased bonds to help finance its construction. Remodeled as a bank in 1970 and now vacant. Source: State Register of Historic Places
What a shame that it sits there abandoned and derelict five years after closing. I know people who wanted to lease and reopen it after it closed, but the owners said no. Now its probably too late to do so without major renovation work.
Actually, I guess they haven’t built the office buildings yet. The land is “shovel-ready” but still vacant as you can see in the satellite image at http://www.herkimercountyida.com/businessparks/ .
This drive-in, since demolished and replaced with an office building, was on Drive-In Road in Schuyler. I was driving around upstate New York taking photos of old cinemas one day when I sped past a sign that said “Drive-In Rd.” I slammed on the brakes, backed up, and drove onto the street, immediately recognizing the remains of an old drive-in theatre. I pretty sure that what was left is now gone as well, but you can see my photos of the 2003 remains at http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=23812 .
Is this really closed? I can’t find info for it anywhere such as phone or website, but recent photos on Flickr show a lit-up marquee with shows being advertised. Is it maybe used by the university?
Also known as the Seville Theatre in its later years.
website http://www.narrowgaugecinema.net/
See my 2003 photos at http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/8346.html
See my photos at http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/22276.html
My photos are at http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/17178.html
My photos of this theater are at http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/22284.html
This cinema has been closed for two years now.
Address was 99 Union St
Website http://www.nativesrestaurant.com/
So according to ken’s info apparently it closed after 1953.
I think this theater is demolished as there is no building at that address resembling a theater.
Does it have a website? What events is it hosting?
Old Ridgefield Playhouse’s run extended
Fate of historic Ridgefield theater on hold until summer’s end
By Robert Miller
Staff Writer
Updated: 07/16/2009 12:04:39 AM EDT
RIDGEFIELD — The old playhouse on Prospect Street — an aging relic, but part of the town’s streetscape for nearly 50 years — will be spared, at least through the summer.
“If we can save it, great,‘’ First Selectman Rudy Marconi said Monday. "If we can’t, it’ll be a sad day for Ridgefield.‘’
“It’s something all the stakeholders really need to look at,‘’ Chris Nolan, the director of Ridgefield Library, said Tuesday.
The building, owned by the library, had figured into its long-delayed plans for expansion. But in January, the library board decided the condition of the old theater had deteriorated past the point of its use as an addition.
Rather than continue to pay about $200,000 in taxes and upkeep, the board decided to raze it.
That upset many residents, who remember the theater as the town’s foremost movie house. The theater was added to the state’s Register of Historic Places and people began to discuss its salvation in earnest.
At the request of the library board, the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission granted a 65-day stay in the demolition permit, until Sept. 18. The library board is also asking the Board of Selectmen to defer its tax payments on the building.
Marconi said that should be enough time to create a subcommittee that will try to find ways to preserve the building. Marconi has said he’s had inquiries from people who would be willing to buy the building and restore it.
“There’s no agreement, nothing
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in writing,‘’ he said. "But there are interested parties.‘’
Marconi stressed Monday the interests of the library come first in town. But he also said saving a building with historic significance in the center of town is a worthy goal as well.
He said he’s received more than 130 calls, letters and e-mails about the fate of the theater, with most urging him to try to save the building.
That many not seem like a lot in a town of about 24,500 people, Marconi said, “but normally, I don’t get any.‘’
Nolan said delaying the fate of the old theater — which until recently had been used as an office of Webster Bank — gives the town a chance to look at the short-term and long-term issues facing the library.
That was the library board’s viewpoint when it discussed the theater with Marconi in June, she said. “We need to look at the issues globally.”
The long-term problem is that the town’s library building is too small, aging and not adequate for the library’s continually increasing use.
The library board has discussed expansion for about seven years.
“We have about 24,500 people in town,‘’ she said. "The population isn’t growing that much. The library just gets used more. And we’ve been facing issues of deferred maintenance.‘’
Marconi said, however, the recession may allow the town some breathing room to plan for the future.
“Everything’s on hold,‘’ he said.
Marconi said the town, having established a village district commission to preserve the look of the center of town, should also think of buildings like the old theater, which lies just outside the town’s historic district.
“This is a building that represents a lot of history in town,‘’ he said. "Once it’s gone, it’s gone. That street will never be the same. It will always look different.‘’
Contact Robert Miller
at
or at (203) 731-3345.
About the old playhouse The old Ridgefield Playhouse was: Constructed in 1940. Designed by renowned theater architect John Eberson. The only Colonial Revival-style building Eberson designed. Of the 160 theaters he designed, only 12 still stand. Orginally a movie theater. Built by local businessman A.J. Carnell, with the backing of the library, which sold Carnell the land for the theater. Townspeople enthusiastically purchased bonds to help finance its construction. Remodeled as a bank in 1970 and now vacant. Source: State Register of Historic Places
It should be WHALOM not WHALON.
Anyone know if/when this theater closed? It’s website is gone and it’s phone is disconnected.
Hahaha – it has been opening “this summer” for the past five summers now.
What a shame that it sits there abandoned and derelict five years after closing. I know people who wanted to lease and reopen it after it closed, but the owners said no. Now its probably too late to do so without major renovation work.
Doesn’t the front of this cinema still exist as a private residence?
Wow…it looks exactly the same as it does today, only less worn down.
Really? We’re listing tiny screening rooms that show historical films at visitor centers as cinemas now? If so, get ready for thousands more!
This cinema reopened on April 10, 2009 under the auspices of the Zurich Cinema Corp.
Actually, I guess they haven’t built the office buildings yet. The land is “shovel-ready” but still vacant as you can see in the satellite image at http://www.herkimercountyida.com/businessparks/ .
This drive-in, since demolished and replaced with an office building, was on Drive-In Road in Schuyler. I was driving around upstate New York taking photos of old cinemas one day when I sped past a sign that said “Drive-In Rd.” I slammed on the brakes, backed up, and drove onto the street, immediately recognizing the remains of an old drive-in theatre. I pretty sure that what was left is now gone as well, but you can see my photos of the 2003 remains at http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=23812 .
Its last showings were on March 16, 2009.