Rowland Theater

The Rowland Theater, also known as the Rowland Theatre, is a historic single-screen movie theater and community performance venue at 127 North Front Street in Philipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania. The building was commissioned by Charles Hedding Rowland, a Philipsburg businessman, coal-mining executive, railroad president, and former United States congressman. Planning began in 1915, construction started in 1916 under architect Julian Millard and construction engineer W. A. Hoyt, and the completed theater opened to the public in June 1917. The theater was conceived as more than a place for motion pictures. Rowland intended it to provide Philipsburg with a substantial, safe, and comfortable venue for theatrical productions, conventions, public meetings, and other civic events. Its stage and auditorium were designed to support both live performances and film exhibition, reflecting the role that early twentieth-century theaters often played as combined entertainment and community institutions. The building replaced the site of the Pierce Opera House, a three-story structure that had been destroyed in a major downtown fire on December 30, 1910. The Rowland family acquired the property on December 31, 1915, and soon afterward developed plans for the new theater. Architecturally, the Rowland Theater is a brick and ferro-concrete building measuring approximately 66 by 222 feet. Its classically influenced facade uses symmetrical bays, pilasters, decorative brickwork, contrasting materials, a projecting marquee, and a prominent central theater entrance. The front portion originally included the entrance and outer lobby, two commercial stores, offices, and upper-level meeting or rehearsal spaces. Some upper areas are not used in modern operation because they do not meet current fire-exit requirements. The interior retains features associated with an early twentieth-century movie palace. The outer lobby has marble wall surfaces and murals depicting Native American and local historical subjects. The inner foyer includes a stained-glass skylight, red carpeting, marble, decorative fabric treatments, paired staircases, and access toward the balcony. The main auditorium contains roughly 400 seats on the principal floor, while the balcony includes additional seating; portions of the older rear balcony seating are not normally available to the public. The balcony has also been subject to an age restriction associated with insurance requirements. The stage is approximately 50 feet wide and 34 feet deep, with about 50 feet of vertical clearance and eleven basement dressing rooms. An orchestra pit can accommodate approximately 30 musicians. The screen is about 29 feet wide by 15 feet high and can be configured for both Flat and Scope presentations. A digital projection system was installed in October 2013, replacing the theater's earlier film projection equipment, while Dolby-processed sound uses speakers behind the screen, in the orchestra pit, and along the auditorium walls. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and stands within the Philipsburg Historic District. Philipsburg Borough owns the property, while Rowland Theater, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, leases and operates it. A volunteer board governs the organization, and community volunteers support concessions, front-of-house work, and other operations. In addition to screening films, the venue remains capable of hosting plays, choirs, smaller orchestras, meetings, and other local events. Its identity therefore combines historic preservation, low-cost cinema, and community-based performing arts.

The Rowland Theater occupies a site previously associated with the Pierce Opera House, a three-story building owned by Philipsburg businessman J. H. Pierce. The opera house and several neighboring downtown buildings were destroyed by fire on December 30, 1910. The Rowland family purchased the property on December 31, 1915, and developed plans for a new building that would address several community needs at once: motion pictures, live theater, conventions, public meetings, and other large gatherings. The project was led by Charles Hedding Rowland, a prominent local businessman involved in coal mining and railroads who later represented Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives. Planning began in 1915, with construction commencing in 1916. Architect Julian Millard designed the building, and W. A. Hoyt served as construction engineer. The theater was completed in the middle of 1917 and opened to the public in June of that year. Rowland presented the venue as a substantial civic improvement intended to provide Philipsburg with a modern, comfortable, and versatile place for entertainment and public life. The completed structure was built of brick and ferro-concrete and measured approximately 66 by 222 feet. Its front section contained the theater entrance, outer lobby, and two storefronts, with offices above and meeting or rehearsal areas on the third floor. The auditorium included a stage, orchestra pit, main-floor seating, balcony seating, dressing rooms, and equipment for both dramatic performances and motion pictures. This dual-purpose design allowed the theater to function as a cultural and civic venue rather than solely as a cinema. The building's exterior uses a restrained classical vocabulary. A symmetrical arrangement of bays, pilasters, lintels, belt courses, parapet details, decorative brick patterns, and a central marquee gives the facade a strong civic presence. Inside, marble wall surfaces, murals, a stained-glass skylight, ornate textile decoration, red carpeting, and carved woodwork preserve elements of its historic theater character. Parts of earlier ceiling and stage murals remain visible, including areas exposed during restoration work. The upper floors are not generally used because their exit arrangements do not satisfy modern fire-safety requirements. The Rowland Theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is located within the Philipsburg Historic District. Its preservation significance is tied both to its architectural character and to its long-standing role in local cultural life. The property is owned by Philipsburg Borough and leased to Rowland Theater, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A volunteer board oversees the organization, while volunteers help staff concessions and other theater functions. The volunteer model also connects theater work with local community-service programs. In the modern period, the venue has continued to operate as a single-screen theater while retaining its stage capabilities. A digital projection conversion in October 2013 modernized film presentation and supported both Flat and Scope formats. The auditorium's large screen, Dolby sound system, stage curtains, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, and performance lighting allow the building to accommodate a range of programming. Its ongoing role is consequently defined by the interaction of historic preservation, affordable cinema, and community-based live entertainment.

• 2013

  Digital projection installed

  [1]Rowland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The theater upgraded its projection system to digital equipment supporting Flat and Scope film presentations.

• 1979

  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

  [1]Rowland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The theater received recognition for its historic and architectural importance through listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

• 1917

  Theater opens to the public

  [1]Rowland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The completed Rowland Theater opened in June as a venue for motion pictures, live theater, conventions, and public meetings.

• 1916

  Construction begins

  [1]Rowland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  Construction of the new brick and ferro-concrete theater began under the direction of architect Julian Millard and engineer W. A. Hoyt.

• 1915

  Rowland family acquires the theater site

  [1]Rowland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The Rowland family purchased the former opera-house property on December 31 and began planning a new multipurpose theater.

• 1910

  Pierce Opera House destroyed by fire

  [1]Rowland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  The Pierce Opera House and several other downtown Philipsburg buildings were destroyed in a fire on December 30.

A locally operated historic theater combining affordable movie exhibition with community-oriented live performance and civic programming.

• Cinema exhibition · 1917

  Motion-picture screenings

  The Rowland Theater operates as a single-screen movie theater serving Philipsburg and nearby communities. Its approximately 29-by-15-foot screen can be adjusted for Flat and Scope presentations. Digital projection was installed in 2013, and the auditorium uses a Dolby-processed sound system with screen, pit, and surround speakers.

• Performing arts · 1917

  Live stage productions

  The theater was designed from the outset to accommodate live theatrical work as well as films. Its stage is approximately 50 feet wide and 34 feet deep, with multiple curtain layers, motorized front curtains, an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, and a separate house sound system. The venue can host plays, choirs, and smaller orchestras.

• Civic and cultural venue · 1917

  Community events

  The building was conceived as a public gathering place for conventions, meetings, and community activities. Its historic auditorium and stage continue to provide a setting for local cultural and civic programming in addition to regular cinema use.

• 2013

  Conversion from film projection to digital projectionGeneration change

  Background

  The theater needed to modernize its motion-picture presentation equipment while continuing to support its single-screen cinema operation.

  Action taken

  A digital projector was installed in October 2013, with support for both Flat and Scope aspect ratios.

  Aftermath

  The upgrade enabled the theater to continue presenting contemporary digital motion pictures while retaining its historic auditorium and stage.

  Source

• 2013

  Rowland Theater converts to digital projection[1]Rowland Theateren.wikipedia.org

  Product generation · Other

  The theater updated its projection system to digital equipment capable of presenting both Flat and Scope aspect-ratio films.

1. 1Rowland Theateren.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Rowland Theater official websiterowlandtheatre.com