ABOUT THE
STRAND CENTER THEATRE
The Strand Center Theatre is a landmark of cultural and historical importance. Located in the heart of downtown Plattsburgh, NY, the Strand Center Theatre was originally built as a Vaudeville Theatre in 1924, and is currently on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, the Strand Center for the Arts (formerly the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts) purchased the Theatre and has since undertaken initiatives to restore the Theatre to its former glory.
THE RESTORATION
Currently, the Strand Center for the Arts has completed renovations totaling more than 3 million dollars. It is a place to see independent films, take in quality performances by local and touring musicians, actors, dancers; it is a showcase for the arts in the community.
Since 2011, the Theatre has received a new roof, new electrical wiring, new heating/ventilation/air conditioning, a sprinkler system, new seats, and the restoration of the auditorium, renovations to the basement to add dressing rooms, the installation of HD cinema equipment (projector, screen, surround sound) and main drape/valances.
The final phase included lighting, sound and rigging equipment, which was needed to attract and host premier performances. In 2004, the Strand Center Theatre received a generous donation by Leonard & Louise Johnson of Hingham, MA., of a 1924 Wurlitzer Opus 970 organ. In 2011, the organ underwent an extensive restoration through a generous donation and was installed in the Theatre in 2013.
FUNDING
In 2011 and 2012, the Strand Center Theatre was identified as a priority project by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s North Country Regional Economic Council, awarding $397,000 and $305,000 in Economic Development Funding, through Historic Preservation and $250,000 through Empire State Development and more recently was the recipient of grant funding through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, led by the Department of State, in close partnership with Empire State Development, NYS Homes and Community Renewal and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
