Winter Garden Theater
313 N. Main Street,
Jamestown,
NY
14701
313 N. Main Street,
Jamestown,
NY
14701
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Showing 101 - 125 of 136 comments
well good news…I am actually in the process of restoring the Winter Garden to as close to original as possible. I would love to see any pictures prior to the 1950’s. I want the front really close. I can be reached at
It’s a common misunderstanding, but the original blueprints I have in my possession, as well as the entries in the Jamestown City Directories all have the name written as “Winter Garden”. Also, the advertisements dating from it’s Grand Opening in 1913 all have the name written as “Winter Garden”.
Patsy, please check your email. :)
Freeburg and Fidler I believe also designed and built some of the local schools in the area, too. I also have interest in 2 former local architects by the names of Beck and Tinkham. They built many homes in the area in the tudor/stucco style.
OMG, I know Kathy and Charles (Chuck) Ludwig! I am in the Jamestown area and plan to give them a call asap! Do you happen to live in the Jamestown area and how is it that you have become interested in this theatre? Amd I think the seat capacity number has been changed from 1100 to 1230, correct? I also plan to call Century 21 and ask them the asking $.
Very cool. Thank you Patsy and Ken. You asked about the original owners and the architects. The original owners were Marshal Peterson and Michael Woods of the Mozart Amusement Company. (confirmed Jamestown City Directory 1914)
The theater opened it’s doors on Christmas eve, December 24th 1913. (Jamestown Evening Journal December 24th, 1913 edition)
The architects were a local Jamestown firm called Freeburg & Fidler and constructed by the Leo Ludwig Construction Company. (original blueprints provided by Charles & Kathy Ludwig of Ludwig Auction & Realty.)
The 1950 renovations were designed by a Henry Blatner of Albany NY.
Thereis a LOT of history that I have for the documentary I’m working on. Right now it’s all research for the moment, but hopefully soon, when I have collected enough footage and pictures, I can begin assembling a small film.
DakRoland: “An item of note… The theater’s official name is two words, "Winter Garden”, not ‘Wintergarden’.“ As you can see this has now been corrected thanks to CT member, Ken Roe in the UK.
DakRoland: I would also like to know the names of the original owners and the architect(s), etc.
DakRoland: Could you please email me @ and let me know the name of Gus Nestle’s daughter as her last name wouldn’t be Nestle.
Lost Memory: I have missplaced your email and can’t recall it from “memory so I guess it is "lost”. I believe you have my email so please contact me when you read this post.
Movie Bob, please contact me through email. It’s my ID on this site, followed by @mac.com. I would love to see any pictures you may have. (Also I am certain that Gus' daughter would be very interested as well :)) Thank you so much.
Movie Bob: I am truly interested in seeing someone purchase the former Wintergarden and perhaps incorporate the Lucy-Desi theme as a possible idea since the Desilu Playhouse is nearby with gift shops and museum. At the moment I believe the city now owns the building and has it on the market at a very reasonable price. If you knew Gus Nestle well are you perhaps in the Jamestown area? And I would love to see the photo of Lucy since I am a Lucy Festival volunteer.
www.lucy-desi.com
Sorry I have been absent for so long, live get in the way. I knew Gus Nestle well, and I have a number of pictures he had given me back in the 80’s. (He and my mother worked together for years at the consistory) Give me a shout, I will start going through boxes and find them. There is a great one of him and Lucy that was taken at the Palace that I remember off hand.
If I can ask what kind of project is in the works? Is there someone actually willing to put someting back into the Winter Garden? (waves is resume of 20 some years of theatre marketing and management —– blantent plug!)
Hey Patsy!!!! Hope all is well with you as well!
Bob
DakRoland: Good luck with your research on this theatre and please post any and all early history information you have learned about this theatre. Thanks.
I have been doing a lot of research on this theater recently as part of a project of which I am involved. I have uncovered a lot of it’s history and I’d like to help correct and add to this record. If Lost Memory could contact me, I would greatly appreciate it. It’s my ID on this site, followed by @mac.com.
An item of note… The theater’s official name is two words, “Winter Garden”, not ‘Wintergarden’.
I am still researching much of the theater’s early history, and would love to speak with ANYONE who has information, worked there, knew the former long-time manager “Uncle” Gus Nestle…I’d be greatly appreciative. I’ve interviewed his daughter, unearthed several unseen photos, and found the names of the original owners, architechs, the architech of it’s renovation in 1950, and the names of the companies that owned the theaters from around 1939 through 1991 when Dipson theaters closed it. What I need are the little bits inbetween. The details. If you can help, please contact me!
Or Century 21 in Lakewood NY. And this theatre would be the perfect location for a Lucy themed lobby.
ChrisB: Thanks for posting the photos as they came out very well. If anyone is interesting in purchasing this theatre, please contact the City of Jamestown in western NYS. It is within walking distance of the Desilu Playhouse and Lucy Museum/gift shop.
Sorry, I should have posted the links instead of the pictures (again please credit to Bob Johnston):
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Administrator: If I wasn’t supposed to post the pictures themselves – I’m sorry; please delete them.
-Chris
The first thing to go would be the silver flocked wallpaper in the lobby! I had hoped that Lucy’s daughter, Luci would have interest in restoring this theatre with a Lucy theme, but so far that is not the case!
I just viewed all of the photos you took during your tour and really appreciate you posting them here as my visit was in poor lighting so therefore I didn’t get to see much detail. Nice to read….“that almost all of the seats are intact, too”. If you know of anyone else who might have interest in this theatre, send them to Jamestown asap!
I’m not with the realtor; I was traveling with a friend who is a developer, and the real estate agent and a member of the Arts Council let me take pictures. I don’t think my friend will buy the place, but hopefully someone else will.
Forgot to mention that almost all the seats are intact, too!
ChrisB: By chance, are you associated with Century 21? My email address can be found by clicking on my screen name.
ChrisB: The photobucket photos are GREAT! How did you find them? I had the opportunity to enter the Wintergarden a few years ago, but the lighting was very poor so seeing your posted photos really meant alot. I would love to see someone buy and restore this theatre. I think a Lucy themed theatre would be great as it is within walking distance to the Lucille Ball gift shop, Desilu Playhouse and Lucy Desi Museum, downtown! Your email address isn’t included on your profile page and I would like to send you the 1955 photo(s).
Here are some links to photos I took inside the Wintergarden a few weeks ago.
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Pretty sad, but the roof was replaced ten years ago to keep it from getting worse. The projectors and carbon-arc lamp houses are still there. The local Arts Council will sell the place VERY reasonably to someone who can restore it. Their realtor is Century 21 Turner Brokers at (716) 763-7506 or www.c21turnerbrokers.com
Patsy, if you email me the the 1955 photo I can save it to my Photobucket album and post a link. Thanks!
I’d sure like to know who the architect was for the Wintergarden. And the place held 1,000 seats?