State Theatre
- Historic Ithaca
- Jul 26, 2022
- 1 min read
The State Theatre is the only surviving early movie palace in Ithaca and is widely regarded as the finest example of its kind. Opened in 1928, the State embodies the 1920s shift from vaudeville to moving pictures. The building dates to 1915, when it was originally designed as an automobile garage and showroom. Well-known theater architect Victor Rigaumont was in charge of its conversion, which kept the exterior minimally altered but transformed the interior into a “feast for the senses.” Rigaumont incorporated Moorish and Renaissance Revival styles and added Collegiate Gothic symbolism to recognize Cornell University in a final design noted as a richly ornamented, atmospheric cinema and vaudeville palace. In 1998, Historic Ithaca purchased the long vacant building and, in the coming years, restored it to its former splendor. Historic Ithaca owned and operated the theater until it sold the State to a newly created nonprofit, the State of Ithaca, Inc., in 2009.
Drawing by Barry Haul, 1999
Newsletter: Spring 1998
What a fascinating history! I love learning about how these grand spaces evolved over the decades. The attention to detail in old theatres like this is just breathtaking, you really don't see that kind of dedication to design very often anymore. It definitely inspires me to look at my own surroundings and think about how to add more 'grandeur' to everyday life. If you are in the area and want to bring a bit of that luxury and custom design to your own backyard, consulting with high-end Pool Builders Malibu is a fantastic way to elevate your home's aesthetic. Great post!
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