31-33 Chenango ST, Binghamton NY
By: H. B. & B. A.
Stone Opera House
Cost $135,000 25,000 sq. feet Open in 1891 Originally named the Columbia and a year
later changed to the Stone Opera House The preservation league of NY has named
the Stone Opera House one of the seven threatened buildings to save in the state
CHARLES M. STONE (1856-
1926)
Architects Sanford O. Lacey and E.H. Bartoo Richardsonian Romanesque style Façade made of carved red sandstone Seated 1,500 3rd floor ballroom 2 store front’s Archway with balcony Promoted as “the most impressive opera house
between New York City and Buffalo, this was truly a showplace”
GRAND OPENING
George M. Cohen - American entertainer, playwright,
composer, actor, singer, dancer and producer. Sarah Bernhardt- was a French stage and early film actress,
and has been referred to as "the most famous actress the world has ever known“
Decline in theatrical production’s Vaudeville, minstrel, and burlesque shows
FEATURED ACTS
During the campaign of 1900, vice presidential
hopeful Teddy Roosevelt spoke to a full house of supporters
Fire of 1903 - either a match or cigarette was tossed on to the stage floor and within an hour the building was engulfed in flames. Shortly after the roof caved in.
“Will probably rebuild at once” Funeral service was held for 21 unidentified victims
of the Binghamton clothing factory fire 1913
EVENTS
Eventually the auditorium was
remodeled and converted to a movie theater, reopening as the Riviera on September 1, 1930
In the years after attendance again declined
Finally, in 1973 the theater closed with plans to turn in to two 300 Seat movie theater which NEVER HAPPENED
RIVIERA
THEN.
NOW.
With one million dollars the most that can be
done is Roof Foundation Utility’s
THE BUDGET
Realistically to complete the project we would need to get
sponsors and donations Which would be around three million dollars more, at least
Main entry way Café- Local talent Art Gallery Grand Lobby Ballroom-Party hall with bar Theater back to its prime Live bands, Comedians, Plays and musicals
FUTURE PLANS
EARLVILLE OPERA HOUSEBuilt 1892, Earlville, New York
EARLVILLE OPERA HOUSE
STONE OPERA HOUSEBuilt 1892, Binghamton, New York
Converted to Movie Theater 1937Closed 1951Purchased 1971Donated to Community Non-Profit Group 1972Restoration Started 1972National Register of Historic Places 1974Reopened as Multi-Arts Center 1976
Converted to Movie Theater 1930Closed 1973
Current Status:Operating as Multi-Arts Center with 2 Galleries, Arts Workshop, Artisan Gift Center and Cafe.Store-front Properties are Occupied.
Current Status:Deteriorating, Endangered, For Sale.