Mishler Theatre

Last updated
Mishler Theatre
Mishler Theatre.jpg
Front of the theater
Mishler Theatre
Address1208 12th Avenue
Altoona, Pennsylvania
United States
OwnerBlair County Arts Foundation
Designation National Register of Historic Places
Construction
OpenedFebruary 15, 1906
Rebuilt1907
Mishler Theatre
USA Pennsylvania location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location1208 12th Ave., Altoona, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 40°32′59″N78°24′7″W / 40.54972°N 78.40194°W / 40.54972; -78.40194
Arealess than one acre
Built1906
ArchitectAlbert E. Westover
Architectural style Beaux Arts
NRHP reference No. 73001592 [1]
Added to NRHPApril 11, 1973
Years active1906 – present
Website
http://mishlertheatre.org/

The Mishler Theatre is a Beaux-Arts stage and movie theater located at 1208 Twelfth Avenue in Altoona, Pennsylvania. [2] [3]

Contents

History

It was designed by Albert E. Westover and built by local theatre owner and manager Isaac Charles Mishler and opened on February 15, 1906. Nine months later, the neighboring Rothert building caught fire, which quickly spread to the theater, destroying the interior. The theater was rebuilt and re-opened in 1907. [2] [3]

In 1924, Isaac Mishler announced his retirement and later sold the theatre in 1931. [2]

After disuse in the mid-20th century, the theatre was considered for demolition in 1965. In response, the Altoona Community Theatre and the Blair County Arts Foundation purchased it and began renovations. When the theatre reopened in 1969, their inaugural performance was The Sound of Music . [4]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and is located in the Downtown Altoona Historic District. [1]

Restoration

Early renovations included replacement of the seats and the lobby's chandelier with the new one purchased in 1970 at a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer auction. Major structural, plumbing, and electrical work began in the early 1990s. At the most recent estimate, the restoration has cost more than $1 million. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blair County, Pennsylvania</span> County in Pennsylvania, United States

Blair County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 122,822. Its county seat is Hollidaysburg. The county was created on February 26, 1846, from parts of Huntingdon and Bedford counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Altoona, Pennsylvania</span> City in Pennsylvania, United States

Altoona is a city in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 43,963 at the time of the 2020 census, making it the 18th-most populous city in Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the Altoona metropolitan area, which includes all of Blair County and was recorded as having a population of 122,822 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama Theatre</span> Movie theatre in Birmingham, Alabama, USA

The Alabama Theatre is a movie palace in Birmingham, Alabama. It was built in 1927 by Paramount's Publix Theatres chain as its flagship theater for the southeastern region of the United States. Seating 2,500 people at the time, it was the largest in the Birmingham theater district. The district was once home to many large theaters and movie palaces that featured vaudeville, performing arts, nickelodeons and Hollywood films. Built to show silent films, the Alabama still features its original Wurlitzer theater organ. The Alabama Theatre and Lyric Theatre are the district's only remaining theaters, and the Alabama is the only theater still in operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Foster Memorial</span> United States historic place

The Stephen Collins Foster Memorial is a performing arts center and museum which houses the Stephen Foster Archives at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. It is dedicated to the life and works of American songwriter Stephen Foster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hennepin Center for the Arts</span> Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Hennepin Center for the Arts (HCA) is an art center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It occupies a building on Hennepin Avenue constructed in 1888 as a Masonic Temple. The building was designed by Long and Kees in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style. In 1978, it was purchased and underwent a renovation to become the HCA. Currently it is owned by Artspace Projects, Inc, and is home to more than 17 performing and visual art companies who reside on the building's eight floors. The eighth floor contains the Illusion Theater, which hosts many shows put on by companies in the building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (Altoona, Pennsylvania)</span> Church in Pennsylvania, United States

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic cathedral located at One Cathedral Square in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It is within the boundaries of the Downtown Altoona Historic District, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. It is the mother church of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and is the seat of its bishop, the Most Reverend Mark Leonard Bartchak. The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Pastor is Rev. Monsignor Stanley B. Carson, Administrator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Railroaders Memorial Museum</span> Railroad museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania

The Railroaders Memorial Museum (RMM) is a railroad museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The museum focuses on the history of railroad workers and railroad communities in central Pennsylvania, particularly Altoona, the Altoona Works, and the greater Pittsburgh area. Since 1998, the museum has been located in the Master Mechanics Building, built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1882. The museum also operates a separate museum, visitor center, and observation area at the Horseshoe Curve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madam Walker Legacy Center</span> National Historic Landmark in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

The Madam C. J. Walker Building, which houses the Madam Walker Legacy Center, was built in 1927 in the city of Indianapolis, in the U.S. state of Indiana, and as Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991. The four-story, multi-purpose Walker Building was named in honor of Madam C. J. Walker, the African American hair care and beauty products entrepreneur who founded the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company, and designed by the Indianapolis architectural firm of Rubush & Hunter. The building served as the world headquarters for Walker's company, as well as entertainment, business, and commercial hub along Indiana Avenue for the city's African American community from the 1920s to the 1950s. The historic gathering place and venue for community events and arts and cultural programs were saved from demolition in the 1970s. The restored building, which includes African, Egyptian, and Moorish designs, is one of the few remaining African-Art Deco buildings in the United States. The Walker Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles M. Robinson (architect)</span> American architect (1867–1932)

Charles Morrison Robinson, most commonly known as Charles M. Robinson, was an American architect. He worked in Altoona and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1889 to 1906 and in Richmond, Virginia from 1906 until the time of his death in 1932. He is most remembered as a prolific designer of educational buildings in Virginia, including public schools in Richmond and throughout Virginia, and university buildings for James Madison University, College of William and Mary, Radford University, Virginia State University, University of Mary Washington, and the University of Richmond. He was also the public school architect of the Richmond Public Schools from 1910 to 1929. Many of his works have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penn Alto Building</span> United States historic place

The Penn Alto Building is an historic landmark building that is located in downtown Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States. It is nine stories high and has a partial tenth floor penthouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edwin Forrest House</span> Historic house in Pennsylvania, United States

The Edwin Forrest House is an historic house and arts building, which is located at 1346 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Built between 1853 and 1854, it was home, from 1880 until 1960, to the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, at one time one of the nation's largest art schools for women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bama Theatre</span> United States historic place

The Bama Theatre is a historic theatre in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that currently serves as the city's performing arts center. Its modern redevelopment is the result of cooperation between the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa and the Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority. The three-story brick and limestone building is located at the corner of Sixth Street and Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on August 30, 1984. It is also a contributing building in the Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folly Theater</span> United States historic place

The Standard Theatre, now known as the Folly Theater and also known as the Century Theater and Shubert's Missouri, is a former vaudeville hall in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Built in 1900, it was designed by Kansas City architect Louis S. Curtiss. The theater was associated with the adjoining Edward Hotel, which was also designed by Curtiss; the hotel was demolished in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allegheny Furnace</span> United States historic place

The Allegheny Furnace is an historic iron furnace, which is located in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Trust Company Buildings</span> United States historic place

Central Trust Company Buildings are two historic commercial buildings located at Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. They are two five-story buildings connected by a stair and elevator tower. The buildings measure 130 by 120 feet. The Central Trust Company Building was built in 1905 and is a white glazed brick building with brownstone trim in the Beaux Arts style. The entry features two Ionic order engaged granite columns. The adjoining Brett Building was built between 1922 and 1924.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad Avenue Historic District</span> Historic district in Pennsylvania, United States

Broad Avenue Historic District is a national historic district located at Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. The district includes 140 contributing buildings in a residential area of Altoona. The buildings were primarily built between 1880 and 1927, and reflect a number of popular architectural styles including Colonial Revival and Italianate. The area was developed as an early streetcar-oriented development in Altoona. Non-residential buildings include the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church and Broad Avenue United Methodist Church (1927).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Altoona Historic District</span> Historic district in Pennsylvania, United States

Downtown Altoona Historic District is a national historic district located at Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. The district includes 240 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential areas of Altoona. The buildings were primarily built after about 1860 and include residential, civic, social, and religious buildings. Although it does not encompass the entire downtown, it is for the most part the most urban part of Altoona's downtown district. Notable buildings include the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (1920s), First Methodist Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, First Evangelical Lutheran Church (1896-1897), U.S. Post Office (1931-1933), Fraternal Order of Eagles Building (demolished), Altoona City Hall, Casanave Building (1890s), Hutchison Block, McCrory's Department Store (1937), and Aaron-Penn Furniture Building. Located in the district are the separately listed Central Trust Company Buildings, Mishler Theatre, and Penn Alto Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knickerbocker Historic District</span> Historic district in Pennsylvania, United States

The Knickerbocker Historic District is a national historic district that is located in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llyswen Historic District</span> Historic district in Pennsylvania, United States

Llyswen Historic District is a national historic district located at Altoona in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The district includes 166 contributing buildings in a residential area of Altoona. The buildings are primarily single-family dwellings built between 1895 and 1940, and reflect a number of popular architectural styles including Colonial Revival and Queen Anne. Notable non-residential buildings include the Llyswen Methodist Episcopal Church, Ward Avenue United Presbyterian Church, Baker Elementary School and Llyswen Station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Kensington Downtown Historic District</span> Historic district in Pennsylvania, United States

The New Kensington Downtown Historic District, also known as the New Kensington Commercial and Residential Historic District, is a national historic district that is located in New Kensington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 "Marker Details: Charles Mishler", ExplorePAHistory.com.
  3. 1 2 "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System.Note: This includes Eleanore H. Steckman and William K. Watson (August 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Mishler Theatre" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  4. "A Brief History" Archived 2010-09-24 at the Wayback Machine , the Altoona Community Theatre.
  5. Zeak, Matthew. "The Mishler: Blair County's Historic Playhouse". Pennsylvania Center for the Book. Retrieved 2020-07-27.