Strand Theater
119 North Main Street,
Zelienople,
PA
16063
119 North Main Street,
Zelienople,
PA
16063
3 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1914, the Strand Theater began its life as a grocery store. After a few years, it was converted into a single screen movie house and ran silent films with live piano accompanyment. The theater continued operation until the early-1980’s, when the owner’s widow decided she couldn’t keep up with it anymore. The Strand Theater has stood vacant ever since.
While there have been a variety of projects planned for the structure over the years, from converting it to office space to leasing it to the FBI, none have come to fruition.
The Strand Theater Initiative, a non-profit group, was formed in May 2001, with the goal of purchasing the Strand Theater and converting it into a center for the performing arts.
It was originally hoped that by August 2002, renovations would be complete and the Strand Theater would be ready to present its first live production, but renovations are still not complete. In addition, there is a time capsule buried in the foundation, which will be recovered once renovations begin.
By 2007, the Strand Theater was open, and screening classic movies at weekends. The Initiative is still trying to raise funds.
Contributed by
Ron Carter, Sean Doerr
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Recent comments (view all 26 comments)
On your website slideshow there is a photo of vintage projectors. Do you still have them? If so, it would a great idea to restore at least one of them for display purposes. And have you researched the theatre to know who the architect was in 1914?
1981 photo of the Strand Theatre.
View link
The marquee has been completedly restored since the above 1981 photo. I do hope the original doors and ticket kios are part of the finished renovation.
1975 Photo
Love them original doors though I’m afraid they might not have been saved.
Patsy, if you look at the 2008 photo that LM posted it looks like the kept and are using the original doors,
I just viewed the 2008 photo and there certainly there,but I was in Z in late March and there was a different front on the building while work was being done…perhaps they will be replaced when work is completed. I will email a person involved with that theatre project to get the final decision on the doors. If they don’t use them, that would be a shame. If not, I hope they at least keep them in storage.
Here is a 2009 photo. The doors might still be there behind the plywood or sheathing that is covering the entrance. Check the Related Websites link above for photos. You can click on “Theater Images” and “Renovation Photos” on the left side of the page.
Lost: I wish I had paid more attention when I went through the plywood temporary entrance as they might have been there, but I really doubt it. I was to meet someone at the theatre, but couldn’t coordinate our schedules in late March. However, I do plan to attend one of the functions to celebrate the opening of the restored theatre.
I’m hoping to attend an event for this theatre’s grand opening next week. If so, I’ll report back here.