Elma Theater

Silkpainter on March 28, 2019 at 8:47 am

Ken, Thank you for posting this. I had not seen it yet.

Silkpainter on February 23, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Bad, bad news for the Elma Theater. Early in the morning of Feb 12th, the roof of the thester collapsed under the weight of snow. One wall was seriously damages and is a searious hazard to the immediatelt neighbors.

This is my third attempt to post this so I’m going to cut it short and be very blunt. The city is in trak to demolish the theater and I, as owner, get to pick up the tab. There is inly a sliver of hope left that I can convince the city not to demolish this piece of history. That sliver is $500,000 in an escrow account and plans drawn up by a structural engineer and an architect that prove that I am on track to restore the theater.

This is more than devastating to me. I don’t know how many people in this small community even know that the theater is about to be demolished.

If any of you know a philanthropisr that would love to help save this theater please share my fundraising page:

gofundme.com/urgent-the-walls-are-caving-in

There are a few photos and a lovely narrative about the theater written by a dear friend.

Any donations offered between now and the certification of my organization as 501©3 certified, will be tax deductible. I applied 6 weeks ago and expect to receive the certificat within 4 weeks.

Thank you for your time reading and sharing this post.

Edna Porter Owner, President Elma Performing Arts Center (Formerly Elma Theater) (The Historic Elma Theater Restoration Project) PO Box 1422, Elma, WA. 98541 (360) 910-9933

Silkpainter on February 23, 2019 at 12:34 pm

Hi Folks, I just wrote pages here and accidentally deleted it when I tried to post it. 😢

Bad, bad news. In Feb 12th, the roof of the Elma Theater collapsed under the weight if heavy snow. A 4’x30’ section of one wall broke and is precariously hanging toward the auditorium. Beneath that broken wall is a gas access pipe in the alley just inches from the wall.

The city is underdtandinly comcerned about the safety of the public.

Silkpainter on July 4, 2017 at 4:20 pm

Ken Layton, how are you connected to Elma? Did you grow up here? Do you live here now?

Silkpainter on July 4, 2017 at 12:37 am

Yes, the hole in the roof is above the stage. I will be meeting with the grandsughter of the Grahams who were the first owners. I am hoping to learn details about the history of the theater. I have only lived in Elma a year and a half.

The theater building has two storefront shops. I am hoping to use one as a museum of the theater and the City of Elma. I would like to gather as much history about the theater as I can. I would like to reinstitute favorite traditions that relate to the theater.

I do not know what happened to the letters. They may be inside. I have only been in the theater once. I need to get respirators and hazmat suits before entering again. Also, I don’t know if asbestos was used in construction. My first concern is the health and safety of anyone entering the building. As of yet, the building is still deemed unsafe and no one but the owner can enter until that status is lifted.

Silkpainter on July 3, 2017 at 7:19 pm

Yes! I purchased the Elma Theater! I now have the deed and the keys, so it is officially mine, for better or worse. And it can’t get much worse. There has been a hole in the roof for several years causing extensive water, mold and rust damage. But that did not deter me. I could see through all of that. Its former grandeur is still evident. And it will return to that grandeur. It will certainly take blood, sweat and tears…and a lot of money to bring it to fruition.

I am looking for people who know how to write grant purposals. There is no money yet. So at this point all help will have to be volunteered. My first expense will be for a structural engineer-to see if the theater can actually be restored. The next expense will be for mold remediation. So, besides money, my first big need is for someone with grant writing experience.

If you have rose-colored glasses and can see what I see, and want to get in olved, please send your contact information to:

Silkpainter on June 8, 2017 at 11:35 pm

Announcement: I have just submitted (along with a Cashier’s check) my intent to purchase the Elma Theater in Elma, WA. There is a lot of work to be done. First, clearing huge amounts of trash from the building. Then, gutting the theater due to water and mold damage from a hole in the roof that has subjected the interior to years of being exposed to the elements.

Besides a large amount of financial investment, many skills and hours upon hours of labor will be required to restore the theater to its original grandure.

VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!

If you are interested in getting involved with this project, please send your contact information and skills you would like to apply to this project to: .

A meeting of interested investors and volunteers will be scheduled sometime in August.

Edna Porter

KenLayton on April 26, 2017 at 10:40 pm

I understand the bank has taken back the theater.

Silkpainter on January 20, 2016 at 4:50 am

Thanks. Found the owner’s name using GH Assessor’s office. They live in Elma.

Silkpainter on December 6, 2015 at 5:47 am

By the way, who owns the Elma theater?

KenLayton on November 20, 2015 at 12:14 am

Still closed and boarded up.

KenLayton on March 25, 2015 at 1:04 pm

Nobody has heard anything about it. Still closed and boarded up. Even the E-L-M-A letters are gone from the sign.

KenLayton on October 2, 2014 at 11:12 pm

Was the theater still boarded up?