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Restoration of marquee to be first step in reopening Zoe Theater
PITTSFIELD, IL — As an initial move in the effort to eventually restore and reopen the 1951 Zoe Theater, closed since 1987, the Zoe Preservation Society has begun a membership drive and other fund-raising efforts to restore the theater’s distinctive marquee and have it in use by Christmas of this year. The long range plan is to restore the theater completely and return it to use as a cinema and as a venue for other community events.
While the theater isn’t ready for movies yet, the organization is hoping to get its marquee up and running, possibly “as a Christmas present to the community,” said Dan Long, the preservation society’s secretary.
“The Zoe marquee is the diamond on the square,” Long said. “We’re wanting to buy letters for the sign and do other work on the marquee.” Letters for the marquee could be used to send birthday, anniversary and other special greetings, Long said.
Here is the story from the Journal-Courier.
Comments (1)
And this story is true!
Zoe Preservation Society is trying to raise $40,000 to Light Up the Marquee and restore the facade of the theater this year!
We started a membership drive with memberships at $20, and $200 for charter members, whose names will go on a plaque to be hung at the theater (it’s there now!).
Donations can be sent to: Zoe Preservation Society, P.O. Box 283, Pittsfield, IL 62363. Or call 217-285-2971 (Pike county Chamber of Commerce; Kaye Iftner is director, and ZPS treasurer), or e-mail,
Please help us save this piece American culture, architecture and history!
Thank you,
Dan Long, ZPS Secretary