State College in Centre County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The State Theatre
State College Historic Site
A movie house for more than 60 years. The State Theatre opened in 1938 with The Sisters, starring Errol Flynn and Bette Davis.
"Warner Bros. announces with pride the opening of Central Pennsylvania's newest and finest theatre," read a press release. John Hamilton Henszey was the builder.
The modern State Theatre was a departure from ornate movie houses of yesteryear. Adult admission was 30 cents, 35 after 5; children, 15 cents.
In 2001, Carmike Cinema closed the then two-screen bi-plex.
Conversion to the area's Community Performing Arts Center was the vision of entertainment businessman Mike Negra and his wife, Wanda White. The Sidney and Helen Freidman family donated the theatre for this public use.
The free-standing ticket booth and flanking businesses (The Candy Cane, Gnomon Copy Service) were removed. Inside, subsequent to Poole Anderson reconstruction, the theatre's past was emphasized in copied wool carpeting and framed cuttings of original silk wall covering.
The State Theatre reopened December 14, 2006. Mike Reid, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and former Nittany Lions All-American, performed.
Local and national talent appears on stage. Upstairs is a room for intimate performances. Screenings of independent, classic, and specialized films
this page online
Erected by Downtown State College; Penn State Alumni Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania State University series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 14, 2006.
Location. 40° 47.618′ N, 77° 51.753′ W. Marker is in State College, Pennsylvania, in Centre County. Marker is on West College Avenue (Pennsylvania Route 26) east of South Fraser Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 South Fraser Street, University Park PA 16802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dale Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Diesel Engineering (within shouting distance of this marker); Wake Turbulence (within shouting distance of this marker); Heart-Assist Pump (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry Research (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Engineering (about 300 feet away); The Bent of Tau Beta Pi (about 400 feet away); Hotel State College (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in State College.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
