Liberty Theater Open House

The last time the Liberty Theater was use as a movie theater was in the early 1990s with the showing of the Kevin Costner movie Dancing With Wolves. Since then the place has been closed. Built in 1930 the old Liberty was given to the non-profit Wellsville group known as the Liberty Theater Association (LTA) 1997.

With hopes to renovate and reopen the theater as a Wellsville area cultural center the LTA secured a big grant that got them started. A new metal roof was put on, the floor in the main room was upgraded, all the windows in the second story were replaced and a major overhaul of the electrical system was initiated. Then the money ran out and the economy went sour, drying up grant funding.

Not giving up on the dream the LTA turned the Liberty over to the Potter Players Community Theatre (PPCT) group in 2004. With renewed enthusiasm the PPCT started making plans to carry on. However, they too were victims of the blooming recession taking grip on the nation's economy. It forced them to draw back on their plans for the renovation. They did what they could but funding was short.

About a year ago interest in the renovation was drawing the attention of other Wellsville civic groups, Meetings were held, offers were made and decisions were made. This past February the PPCT hosted an open house community meeting that was enthusiastically attended by like minded individuals interested in seeing the old place fixed up and reopened. Ideas were discussed and it seemed everyone agreed it would be a huge benefit for the whole Wellsville area to have that dream become a reality. It was stressed that the theater would be a multi-purpose family cultural center for the arts. It would be a community effort that would make Wellsville the envy of the Valley.

It could be used for concerts, lectures, readings and art shows just to name a few ideas put forth. Presently the PPCT hope to rehearse their performances at the at their theater on 15th Street, leaving the Liberty open for other engagements once the renovation is completed.

As a result of that February meeting an open house tour of the old Liberty was planned. It was an invitation to see what shape the building was in and to actually see what needed to be done. That open house happened on Saturday, March 19. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 to 90 people stopped by to see for themselves. In preparation for the open house Electrician Keith Willams and Local 246 donated the installation and the use of temporary lighting. Every nook and cranny was looked at that day.

The building is structurally sound with the new roof and floor in the main section of the theater. Windows on the first floor need replaced or closed off. The heating will need renovation itself and the electrical system needs completed. The call for any and all kinds of help has been issued and officials said no offer will be turned away. With hopes of using mostly volunteer labor one of the most urgent needs is funds for equipment and supplies. The Wellsville Terminals and the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce have both made very generous donations already. Co-Chair persons of the Liberty Theater Renovation project have said all donors will be recognized for any amount given.

Donors will be designated in four different groups. Donations up to $99 will be known as The Audience, for $100 to $249 the donors will be in The Actors group, $250 to $499 will be known as The Directors and any amount from $500 and up will be honored with The Producers designations. Wellsville Terminals and the Chamber is already in The Producers category.

Donations call be mailed to The Liberty Theater, PO Box 513, Wellsville, OH 43968. For additional information contact Erin Roberts-Orr at 330-692-2037 or Bill Roberts at 330-692-3047. Pictured in the collage are scenes from the open house held on March 19.

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