State Theatre

The building in which the State Theatre is located was opened in 1873 as a bank. In 1910, it was rebuilt as a vaudeville theater, the Neumeyer. Between 1914 and 1916, the theater changed names twice, first to the Northampton, then to the Colonial. In 1925, the theater was completely remodeled in a mix of Spanish and Italian Renaissance styles by W.L. Lee of Philadelphia. In 1930, a screen is added and the State begins screening sound films. By the late 60s, however, the State began to show adult features. During the 70s, it was mainly used as a rock concert venue. During the 80s and 90s, the historic theater was restored to its former splendor, and is now used for concerts and live stage shows. It is also purported haunted by the spirit of a former theater manager, nicknamed "Fred", who has been spotted by many staff and patrons over the years, beginning in the 70s.

Taken from the State Theatre Site:
State History
1873 Northampton National Bank constructed. The granite facade and the Foyer are original.
1910 The bank was demolished and the small Neumeyer Theatre was built.
1914-1916 The theatre's name changed from Neumeyer Theatre to the Northampton Theatre, and then the Colonial Theatre.
1925 Architect W.L. Lee of Philadelphia was employed to design a new, larger theatre. He was inspired by the architecture of old Spain and the Davanzanti Place in Florence, Italy. Many local Italian artisans created the elaborate frescoes and gilding.
1930-1960 The death of Vaudeville and the development of talking pictures was evident at the State. A larger movie screen and new equipment for sterophonic sound were installed.
1960-1981 The lobby and foyer were painted brown and blue, covering the beautiful frescoes. The theatre was used primarily for rock concerts during the 1970's.
1981 The theatre was turned over to the National Development Council. Threatened with demolition, a group of concerned citizens calling themselves the "Friends of the State Theatre" raised enough money to purchase the theatre, screening classic films to ensure some income. The State Theatre was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
1982 The City of Easton provides a $20,000.00 grant to investigate the possibilities of the theatre.
1985 The neighboring "Best Market" is acquired by "Friends of the State Theatre."
1986 Renaissance Campaign - Phase One:
$1.2 million was raised by the friends. Renovations included upgrading the stage (a state of the art gridiron, the structure which supports stage props and lights), a new velvet curtain, and new lighting controls. Fire and smoke alarms, exits and lights, and bathroom facilities were added, as were an upgraded and expanded electrical system.
1990 Renaissance Campaign - Final Phase:
$2.5 million raised from private, corporate, and public partners. Renovations include the restoration of all seats, installation of new carpeting, and the construction of openings and stairways to connect the theatre with the Best Market. A comprehensive artistic restoration(Ceilings, walls, etc.) is completed.
1997-1998 This State Theatre Center for the Arts season has 53 performances, attracting 60,000 patrons.
1999-2000 This state Theatre CEnter for the Arts season has 92 performances, and attracts nearly 100,000 patrons.
2001 The State Theatre celebrates its historic 75th season. The annual reading program "Spotlight on Reading-," encouraging literacy in local 5-9 year olds, begins during the summer of 2001. For the first time ever, the State Theatre stages over 100 performances in one year.
2002 The State Theatre announces the 2003 Freddy Awards, recognizing significant accomplishments in high school musical theatre. The first phase of conctruction begins, and new administrative office space is opened.
2003 The cameras roll as the first ever State Theatre Center for the Arts Freddy Awards is televised live on WFMZ channel 69. 22 High Schools from Lehigh and Northampton Counties in Pennsylvania and Warren County New Jersey compete for outstanding achievement awards in 21 categories, including a student scholarship from DeSales University. The second annual Freddy Awards Ceremony is planned for May 27, 2004.
Present: Plans are underway for expanded restrooms, lobby space, support spaces, and more: enabling the State Theatre Center for the Arts to better serve the needs of our patrons and our community in the 21st century.

note; freddy the ghost is still hanging out look at the picture at the top of this web page check out the top balconie and look directly center of the top rail at the center post , to the left of the post there will be freddy with his hand,s leaning on the balconie wall .... but wait there,s more , as true to any apparition image , you will also notice that freddy is in black and white and the picture is in color . ..pretty weird huh? I just wanted to share that with the movie going enthusiaist,s and ghost hunter,s alike freddy was a good guy and attend,s the theater everyday .. he,s never late because he never leave,s so remember when your sitting in this theater and feel someone sitting next to you even when nobody,s there , it can very well be the most famous son of the theater freddy

Recent color photos of this theatre can be found on the site: "America's Stunning Theatres" by photographer and stagehand Noah Kern at: http://www.pbase.com/affablebeef/theatres Comments and information may be left there without registration; such can be public view or only to Mr. Kern. Scroll down the page to find the name, and then click on the sample image above it to be taken to the page of photos of it.

A Marr & Colton organ was installed in this theater in 1926, probably as part of the aforementioned remodeling.

I must have looked and relooked at that photo at the top of this webpage at least a million times now, but have yet to see anything that could even remotely fit the description of a ghost named "Freddy." I even copied the photo and cropped it down to just the part where the ghost is said to be standing and enlarged it full screen on my computer. Yet even then there was not the slightest indication of any sort of spirit being there, in black & white or otherwise. Sure is a beautiful theater though!

Here is a recent 2006 photo of the State Theater.

and a couple more photos at my website (thanks Lost Memory -- damn, you're fast!):

http://www.agilitynut.com/theatres/pa.html#Easton

Just call me Flash. I can't resist the sight of a fresh photo. LOL

BTW...You have a great website and your photos are incredible. Thanks for taking the photos and sharing them with us.

Really great photos of a really great theater, guys! But, uh, any that prove once and for all that there really is a spirit wandering around inside that beautiful theater by the name of "Freddy"? Or is that just one of those things you have to go there firsthand to see? And have either of you ever seen him?

I have never seen Fred the Ghost. You can read about Fred on this website. If you ever run into Fred, tell him that I said Hi. :)

Will do, while I have no plans of getting up to Easton, PA anytime soon. Meantime, it would be interesting to learn just how many of the older theaters are haunted -- or at least alleged to be haunted -- by spirit presences similar. For seriously, talk about dedication to the craft!

This website has a list of theaters that are alleged to be haunted in the state of Ohio. I'm sure that there are alot of theaters in other states that make the same claim. A double bill of Ghostbusters 1 & 2 might be the solution to their problem. :)

All this talk about "ghosts" in theatrs may make it seem 'cool' to speak of one, but do read my WARNING in my comment at the link below, please, so as to save yourself possible pain!
http://forums.cinematour.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000043

Jim, I just knew -- I just KNEW! -- I was going to hear your commentary on that last post I made on this State Theatre page! So it's great to hear from you again, my man, and hope you're doing well since the last time we corresponded!

Meantime, I didn't know about the warning you posted at the Cinematour forum till now, only that you had posted a comment here at the State Theatre page back on June 10, 2005 combined with my remembering the religious beliefs you hold. And only after I posted what I did did it then cross my mind, uh oh, Jim's going to jump on me for that! So in preparation I discussed the matter with my brother who's a real scholar when it comes to the King James, and he said to tell you that in Samuel I that King Saul conjured up the spirit of Samuel, plus there are other instances where ghosts are spoken of in the Bible, and they're not always bad.

As for me, although I've always had a curiosity about ghosts -- and seriously, what human being doesn't? -- I've never actively sought out proof of such, only tried to find rational explanations for occurances I thought might've been such. As you can see in the questions I posted above regarding Freddy. For seriously, what am I going to do with a ghost, Jim? For my interest is in the State Theatre and its beautiful design, while at the same time I was curious what caused some to believe it's actually haunted by the ghost of J. Fred Osterstock, a former manager, or who many now refer to as "Freddy." As you likely know, the State Theatre now has an annual award named in his honor -- that is, in honor of its former theater manager, now deceased, who had been very dedicated to his craft -- and I see nothing wrong with that whatsoever, anymore than if we were talking about the Oscar here, the Emmy, the Tony or what have you. For the award is not named for the ghost but the former and very dedicated manager, that's how I see it. The "ghost" bit, is just a touch of humor. For all throughout the theater's over all design I see a lot of tongue-in-cheek humorous touches to it. On the one hand the theater was designed to look very regal, but it's done in a way that's just a tad slightly comical, as if to say William Harold Lee and others who were involved in its design were having a bit of fun with it at the same time to show that they weren't taking themselves too seriously. For don't you pick up on that when you visit the photo link Agilitynut gave us back on August 5, 2006 and look particularly at the middle photo he has for the State Theatre of the motif to the theater's frontside depicting those phoenixes (or whatever they are) pawing that coat-of-arms? It's impressive art on the one hand -- looking very British or European -- yet there's a distinctive air to it of Americans poking fun at that sort of thing, too. And it's the same with the ongoing joke about Freddy, that is Freddy the Ghost, I feel. It's just an ongoing joke about a ghost nobody truly believes exists, nothing more. Not this people going there to specifically communicate with the dead as you suggest.

Hello, TheatreBuff1 and all others: I am sorry if it seemed as though I was "jumping on you" in my comment above. The comment was not directed to you or anyone else specifically. It was a Warning to all, and the reader is free to accept or reject it as he sees fit. I stand by the Biblical basis of what I said, the example of King Saul conjuring up the "spirit" of Samuel not withstanding, since this was an example of DIS-obedience to God's Law and is a negative example not involving any supposedly immortal soul, but that is beyond the scope of this forum, and I will E-mail you privately about that.

My comment said nothing about awards, and if they choose to give such in a former manager's name, more power to them. As to seeing supposed "tongue-in-cheek humor" in the ornamentation, that is the privilage of any observer, for beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as we have all been told since childhood. The particular image posted by 'agilitynut' that you refer to is not of creatures "pawing" something, but is a formalized representation of an idealized Coat-of-Arms according to the art and traditions of Hearaldry. Books on the subject of Heraldry are at libraries and would explain that the two fantastical creatures are "Chimeras" shown in what is called the "rampant" position, figuratively supporting the "Escutcheon" in the center. Far from being a jibe at European history, the artists were trying to convey the regal traditions they sought to adduce to the handsome STATE. (Other elements in that design --the vegetable pendants and the two flaming urns-- are artists' liberties and not true to Heraldry.) Heraldric forms have often been used in theatre ornamentation, especially in Spanish or 'Mediterranean'-themed buildings. I find that polychromed spandrel panel a handsome ornament there.

In life, one step often leads to another, and while I doubt that anyone at the STATE will seek to communicate with the "ghost", there is the danger that the naive and beguiled will conclude that showing interest in such "jokes" is harmless when in fact it may be construed as an invitation to dangerous demons. Some "jokes" can exact a price far higher than one intends!

I was in possession of the celing medallion from the State Theatre ticket booth.....removed in the early 1980's when theatre was in danger of demolition. Someone gave it to me years later. I just mailed it back to the director of the theatre and hope that they install it back where it belongs.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982

State Theatre (added 1982 - Building - #82003804)
Also known as Neumeyers Vaudeville House
453 Northampton St., Easton
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Lee,W.H.
Architectural Style: Beaux Arts
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

This is another photo of the State Theater.

I saw The Moody Blues in concert last night at this incredibly beautiful theater. It must've been amazing seeing widescreen movies here back in the '50s and '60s - the proscenium space is huge!

The Moody Blues -- one of my favorite bands of all times -- are still around, still going? How many of the original members are still with them, if any? Is Justin Hayward still the band's main lead singer? You might also want to make mention of this great experience you had last night at the following CT link -- http://cinematreasures.org/news/18931_0_1_0_C/

For in my response to that Australian chap's inquiry I failed to make mention of the State Theatre.

Justin Hayward is still the lead singer. Other original members are John Lodge on bass and Graeme Edge on drums. The band has four other members: a flute player (replacing Ray Thomas), a second drummer, and keyboard players. They put on quite a show, too!

Here's their official site:

http://www.moodyblues.co.uk/index_main.html

Hey, Bill.

We briefly ran classic films here when Nelson was involved with the place in 1991. You should have seen Spartacus, it was only 35mm but looked great!

My mistake, it was 1993 that we were at the State. It was about to be shuttered when we came to town... :)

Wow - I knew movies would look good in there! How wide was the screen? From the width of the proscenium it looked to be as big as the Ziegfeld's, or even bigger.

When you see a theater like that it's hard to believe anyone would even think of tearing it down, but of course we all know it happens all the time.

To be sure, when it comes to seeing a movie like SPARTICUS, that is definitely the kind of theater you want to see it in! At the same time, when it comes to seeing a group like the Moody Blues perform live, a theater no less than this will do! Which leads me to wondering if any efforts are being made so that it can present both motion pictures and live presentations? And I'm not talking about anything tacky or make-shift when it comes to a fly-up or retractable screen, but something very professional and compliant with William Howard Lee's masterful architecture.

Meantime, to Bill, I'm sorry to hear Ray Thomas is no longer with the Moody Blues. The flute solo he does in "Nights in White Satin" is one of the most memorable I know of and what I wouldn't give to have been there when they performed this live for the first time at the Isle of Wight Concert! Imagine hearing that song for the first time live! But hearing them do a seasoned version of it live at the State -- assuming that was still in their repertoire -- must've been pretty memorable, too!

As far as I know, "Nights in White Satin" is part of every show the Moody Blues give. The woman who plays the flute in place of Ray Thomas is quite good, too. What bothers me most is that Mike Pinder left the group under bad circumstances so none of his compositions are ever performed anymore, and he wrote a lot of my very favorite Moody Blues songs. Oh well.

You might enjoy this. "Nights in White Satin" 1967 video on YouTube. There are a number of other Moody Blues videos including "Tuesday Afternoon" from 1970 on YouTube. Happy viewing!

Thanks, LM! 1967 - that must be one of the first rock videos ever. The Beatles did a few around that time too ("Strawberry Fields Forever").

I'm glad that you enjoyed it Bill. This is one of my favorite Moody Blues songs, "Go Now". The video was taken from the Hullabaloo show in London in 1965.

I don't know if it was ever true, but years ago when Pinder was dropped from the Moody Blues, I remember the rumor circulating at the time was because he was bald. And after Pinder's departure, the Moody Blues sound was never quite as great, as innovative. The 1970s, unlike the '60s, was when the music industry suddenly turned very cutthroat, since by that point it became ALL about money. You can really see that transition vividly if you watch the movies WOODSTOCK and MESSAGE TO LOVE: THE 1970 ISLE OF WIGHT CONCERT back to back. At the 1970 Isle of Wight Concert, when the Moody Blues debuted "Nights in White Satin" for the first time -- at least, to a mainstream audience -- they and all the other acts were perfectly willing to do the show for free, while the concert promoters tried to turn the event into one big rip-off. And the audience kept being told, "The artists won't perform unless you pay up," making the artists look like they were the guilty greedy ones. From the artists' viewpoint it must've felt pretty terrifying. For imagine if you will, you've created this music, it's your creation, but you can't perform it for free if you wish to because of the contract you've been signed to. It must've felt like they were suddenly living under slavery. Add to this that the Isle of Wight Concert itself took place on public trust land, meaning it was illegal to charge people money to see concerts there. But....it was the '70s meets the '60s, and the Moody Blues, along with the other artists, had little choice but to handle it as graciously as they could. And they did a beautiful job of it. As Ray Thomas told the audience that night, grateful for how much it appreciated their never heard before songs (at least mainstream-wise they had never been heard before), "Nights in White Satin" being one: "What you've given us tonight, you can't put a price on that!"

As for YouTube, since I'm using dial-up and have yet to find a way to download videos from there so I can watch them off line at their right speed, nonetheless I probably have those Moody Blues rock videos you're referring to on VHS. I know somewhere in my old stash of tapes I've got a psychedelic version of them doing "Nights in White Satin," plus old b&w footage of the original 1965 Moody Blues doing "Go Now." And where I was growing up I had never heard the Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin" and "Tuesday Afternoon" till 1972. I'm a bit stunned to learn only now that those songs were five years old by that point!

Brief history:
http://easton-pa.com/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC=%7B51BBFAD6-DE7D-4AAB-9E8F-59C023501535%7D#{77C74310-E653-409D-B4DB-25C2253CF1C0}

A 1996 view of the State Theatre in Easton.

State Theater photo

Here are some 1982 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Photo4

Here is a September 3 article about an appearance by Glenn Beck at the State:
http://tinyurl.com/nupvrj

How exciting that must have been.

The appearance isn't scheduled until January 9, but the NAACP wants it canceled now.

Watch him on Fox News and you'll know why they want him canceled.