The Mishler Theatre is a Beaux-Arts stage and movie theater located at 1208 Twelfth Avenue in Altoona, Pennsylvania.[2][3]
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]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Marker Details: Charles Mishler", ExplorePAHistory.com.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "A Brief History" Archived 2010-09-24 at the Wayback Machine, the Altoona Community Theatre.
- ^ Zeak, Matthew. "The Mishler: Blair County's Historic Playhouse". Pennsylvania Center for the Book. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
External links
- BCAF's photo gallery of the Mishler Theatre.
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-5512, "Mishler Theatre, 1208 Twelfth Avenue, Altoona, Blair County, PA", 2 photos, 7 data pages, 1 photo caption page
