An iconic theater in Centre County is preparing for a major milestone.
Next June, the Rowland Theatre celebrates 100 years of showing live performances and films in the community. Volunteers are already kicking off the centennial celebration with some major renovations ensuring the theater continues to be around for generations to come.
June 4th, 1917 the Rowland Theatre in downtown Philipsburg opened its doors to the public showing a silent film.
Nearly a century later it still holds its charm.
Rebecca Inlow a member of the board says, “we’re very lucky to have this facility in Philipsburg. This building was built when Philipsburg was more of a metropolis then.”
Kevin Conklin the Director of Daily Operations added, “as a kid you know, this was pretty much the place to go. [Everyone] came here for movies at the time.”
Both Kevin Conklin and Rebecca Inlow are helping to keep the theater going. Some of the projects in the works include fixing the dressing room, and restore the grand marquee outside to its original look.
“You’ll basically be looking at the theater like it looked in 1917,” says Inlow. “So we’re kind of linking the past to the future. You can step in the doors and be like you stepped back 100 years.”
As they step back, they reflect on the theater’s’s rich history. President Jimmy Carter made an appearance in 2002. And this year, the world’s only professional ensemble specializing in recreating America’s original music of early Broadway and silent film, the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, made an appearance. Though, today it’s mostly used to showcase the latest movies from Hollywood.
Inlow says, “the theater was not built just for the movies. We have a great orchestra pit and we have a huge stage behind that screen so it’s also built for plays and productions.”
Volunteers are asking for more support from the public to keep the theater operating.
Conklin says“if nothing else, it gives a place for the kids, your children and over the years they’ll grow up with it. They’ll realize what kind of treasure the town does have.”
Volunteers tells us that they plan on selling engraved bricks to help with fundraising efforts, and they’ll be placed here near the theater.
There’s also a book coming out next year about Rowland Theatre’s history.