Strand Theatre

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2024

1. Strand Theatre Marker

Touch for directions.

York,

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Valley.

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Northeast

Mid-Atlantic.

America,

Woods,

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World,

Anglosphere.

France,

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Colonies.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Fred C. Keil (ed. By L. Garofalini, NYSOPRHP, 8/2006:
Constructed

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2024

2. Strand Theatre Marker

The marker is between the lobby doors on the front/north façade.

in 1924, the theater is a rare-surviving example, in the North Country, of the first generation of movie palaces, a new type of opulent theater architecture which replaced the small movie houses and vaudeville theaters. Of equal significance is the important social/cultural/entertainment role the Strand Theater played in the city of Plattsburgh and beyond for 80 years, with its uninterrupted use as movie theater and stage for live performances.
The theater was designed in the Neoclassical style by architect William H. Vaughn. It is comprised of a vestibule, main lobby, mezzanine, auditorium, and stage with supporting spaces. The building is typical for its period with three part massing associated with differing internal functions. An imposing, formal Neoclassical entry and lobby street facade, about four stories high, is set off from the large unornamented, windowless auditorium block directly behind it. Connected to the rear is the stage house which rises significantly above the auditorium.
Over the years, as cultural needs changed, the Strand became the only movie theater in the city and occasionally hosted live performances. A modest

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2024

3. Strand Theatre (north/front elevation)

pipe organ was retro-fitted into the niches flanking the proscenium. As tastes changed, the owners at the time continued to adapt operations to attract an attendance. Seating and the interior finishes were updated after the Second World War, as was the marquee. In the 1960’s, air conditioning was installed. In the same period, a traveling Wurlitzer Theater Organ with light show was brought in. The 1970’s brought a change of approach. The theater was divided into two individual units. However, through the 1980’s the Strand declined. Competition from the new multiplex cinemas relegated the Strand to second-run movies. In the 1990’s, the “dear old Strand” became the place to see foreign and independent films as well as revival festivals of period pictures.

Excerpt:  Strand Theater, now called the Strand Center Theatre, was built in 1924 as the premier theater in Plattsburgh and designed in the Classical Revival style. It consists of a vestibule, main lobby, mezzanine, auditorium, and stage with supporting spaces. It has seating for 950 people.

It was in continuous use as a movie theater until 2005, when it was purchased by the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts (NCCCA) with the goal of restoring it to its historic grandeur. This restoration took 10 years and $4 million to complete. In 2014 the NCCCA changed its legal name to The Strand Center for the Arts which includes this beautiful Strand Center Theatre but also the Federal Building next door which houses administration, gallery space and arts education classes.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2024

4. Strand Theatre (northwest elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  The building’s front facade is brick set off by decorative contrasting bands and details, while the sides and rear elevations are relatively unfinished consisting of brick, terra cotta tiles and a hollow striated brick. The style and ornament for the symmetrical facade and its one bay along the side elevations is generally Neoclassical with a central entrance, large blind-arched recessed window bays on the front and side elevations, a slightly projecting central bay, and a heavy entablature capped with a parapet.

Excerpt:  The Strand Center Theatre is a landmark of cultural and historical importance. Located in the heart of downtown Plattsburgh, New York, the Strand Center Theatre was originally built as a Vaudeville Theatre in 1924, and is currently on the National Register of Historic Places. 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.