| PA Historic Downtown theaters
 Pennsylvania Downtown Center and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) support and celebrate the Commonwealth’s historic downtown and neighborhood theaters. We recognize these social and cultural icons as important pieces of our past and present. Once gathering places for entertainment in communities, many of the state’s theaters have closed or fallen into disrepair over the last few decades. Fortunately, however, an increasing number of Pennsylvania’s historic theaters have recently undergone restorations and/or renovations in order to return them to as community treasures and invaluable sources of economic stimulus to their cities and towns.
This site includes a directory of some of Pennsylvania’s operating historic theaters, as well as the contact information for theater preservation and information.
For Full Theater Listing Click Here!
Ambler Theater (Ambler)
 This 1928 Moorish Revival-style theater is the diamond of Ambler. Renovation on the former Warner Theater began in 2001, and was reopened in 2003. There are now three auditoriums for screening movies, as well as business presentations and meeting. The non-profit theater now shows classic and independent films.
The Ambler is a great example of old meeting new, and how it can breathe life into a downtown. As Renew Theatres renovated the building, they sought to retain its historic fabric, yet also to make it a modern movie theater. The exterior remains intact, making a grand impression as one views Ambler’s Main Street. The lobby retains many architectural details from 1928, including mosaic tile fountains. However, Renew realized it would be more profitable to make three smaller auditoriums, instead of the original large auditorium the theater originally housed. Two smaller, completely modern auditoriums were fashioned, each with stadium seating and the capabilities for holding conferences there. The final auditorium was rehabilitated to its original grandeur, but has modern accoutrements such as seating and sound.
Now the theater brings people into Ambler in the evenings, benefiting downtown businesses. People enjoy the option of seeing a movie in a “modern” downtown theater, and it definitely has been good for the Ambler Main Street.
Community Arts Center (Williamsport)
 A modern façade hides the historic grandeur of the former Comerford Theater, now the Community Arts Center in Williamsport. Behind the façade stands a theater meticulously restored to its 1928 glory, a fusion of Oriental, Spanish and English revival styles. Once considered the most beautiful of the Pennsylvania Comerford Theater chain, the theater suffered during the 1936 flood. With no finances to repair the theater, layers of paint were used to cover the damage.
Like so many theaters, the Comerford endured hardship in the 1960s and 1970s. Then the Pennsylvania College of Technology and the City of Williamsport pledged money to restore it. Doors reopened in 1993, and the theater continues to draw people downtown for shows. From children’s movies, to concerts by Yo Yo Ma and Aretha Franklin, the Community Arts Center is a stunning place to see a show.
Warner Theatre (Erie)
 Designed by renowned theater architects Rapp and Rapp, the Warner Theatre opened as part of the Warner Brothers chain in 1931, with the interior designed by Rambusch Studios of New York City. The theater not only showed films, but also offered vaudeville performances. The theater has an opulence rarely seen in this age, with its Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers, marble, gold gilding, and rich tapestries hanging from the walls. The Warner is truly a fine example of the grand movie palace.
In 1974, the Erie Philharmonic began playing shows at the Warner. The following decade, Broadway shows began gracing the stage. The Warner is a great example of a deluxe movie palace that has stood the test of time and continues to be an important part of the downtown.
Carlisle Theatre
The Carlisle Theatre was part of the Comerford chain and opened its doors in 1939. Not nearly as grand as the Comerford in Williamsport, this smaller Art Deco theater serves the county seat of Carlisle.
The theater became the Carlisle after World War II, and operated successfully into the 1960s. It finally closed its doors in 1986, but only briefly. The theater was purchased and restoration work was begun. This included new seats, restoring the historic interior paint scheme, cleaning the exterior, and installing a new marquee. Today the theater features live shows and films. Also, it is home to the drama students of nearby Dickinson College, who perform shows in a black box theater on the second floor.
It is easy to see when a show is playing, as the marquee lights up the sky. The theater has teamed with local restaurants for discounts, and is an important economic stimulus for downtown Carlisle.
|
