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.