Palace Theatre Nominated for 2012 Outstanding Historic Theatre Award

The Palace Theatre has been nominated as a finalist for a prestigious national award, the 2012 Outstanding Historic Theatre Award, selected annually by the League of Historic American Theatres.

The League’s Awards Program inspires excellence by recognizing theatres and individuals for their significant accomplishments or distinguished service. The Outstanding Historic Theatre Awardrecognizes a theatre that demonstrates excellence through its community impact, quality of programs and services, and quality of the restoration or rehabilitation of its historic structure. An award-winning theatre will have demonstrated excellence through significant achievement, the impact of its services and breadth of populations served, and the length of time and/or intensity of its activities.

Upon learning of the nomination, Palace Theatre President, Peter Ramsey commented, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Board of Advisors, staff and friends, we are honored to be nominated for the 2012 Outstanding Historic Theatre Award. Whether we win this year’s award or not, the Palace Theatre deserves to be considered one of America’s finest theatres. The Palace Theatre served over 100,000 patrons last year. We are a living museum and constantly improving our facility. We are proud of our Manchester roots, honored to be part of New Hampshire’s rich and diverse cultural landscape, and credited with bringing over $5 million worth of economic activity to Manchester.”

“I can not think of an organization more worthy of recognition for its efforts to preserve history and remaining relevant in today’s times than the Palace Theatre,” stated Van McLeod, Commissioner, State of New Hampshire, Department of Cultural Resources in a letter to the League of Historic American Theatres Awards Committee on behalf of the Palace Theatre.

Ramsey adds, “We would like to thank Van McLeod, Commissioner, State of New Hampshire, Department of Cultural Resources, Mayor Ted Gatsas and the Board of Alderman, and Governor John Lynch for being great patrons and supporters of the historic Palace Theatre. We are excited for the Wednesday, July 16 lunchtime announcement of the award winner.”

Built in 1914, the Palace Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Palace Theatre is a nonprofit performing arts center that hosts its own professional company, youth and teen program and presenting acts. It is committed to achieving its mission through preserving the historic facilities of the theatre, responding creatively to the cultural and entertainment needs of the community and governing in a fiscally responsible and strategic manner. The Palace Theatre’s Web site is www.palacetheatre.org.

The League of Historic American Theatres, Inc., a non-profit association dedicated to sustaining America’s historic theatres for the benefit of their communities and future generations, is a growing network of more than 325 historic theatres across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1976, the League has been making a strategic transition from an organization best known for a membership that helps save historic theatres to a membership increasingly concerned with the tools, techniques and technologies of sustaining historic theatres.

The League serves members through educational programs, publications, specialized services and an annual conference and theatre tour, facilitating the exchange of information and resources for improving their historic theatres, their business and their communities.

For additional information, visit the League’s web site at www.lhat.org.

More Articles by This Author...