The Palace Theatre
1923-1987
The roots of the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts reach back as far as the Roaring Twenties! The theater now operated by The Reg was first opened in Jamestown, New York on February 5, 1923, as The Palace Theatre. It was a "high-class vaudeville house". In its first three years, the theater would typically show short comedy and feature films before and after its twice-daily vaudeville performances.
In 1926, The Palace and its facility was purchased by businessman Nikitas Dipson who continued its usual programming of film and vaudeville shows until he secured a 20 year lease making The Palace a Warner Brothers theater. This meant a slow phasing out of live performance and an increase in film screenings. By 1934, films were the only entertainment available on a regular basis. Once the lease with Warner Brothers was concluded in 1950 Dipson, now doing business as Dipson Theatres, once again took over management of The Palace. Soon after, an extensive remodel to the facility took place which saw the installation of new heating and cooling systems, carpeting, wall coverings and new seats. At the reopening of the theater, Dipson announced his intention to continue presenting first-run films of the highest quality, but to also return to some of the theater's original programming such as stage shows, orchestras and vaudeville performances.
One of The Palace's finest moments came in 1956, when it hosted the world premiere of Forever Darling, starring Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. The comedy couple visited Jamestown, Ball's birthplace, to attend the screening, drawing thousands of adoring fans downtown and to the theater to welcome the Hollywood stars during their Western New York visit.
Unfortunately, the Palace's golden years would not last. In the following decades, the theater experienced a decline in attendance and deterioration to its equipment and to the building, itself. At that time, the name Philip Morris entered the picture and as executive director of the Chautauqua County Arts Council he contacted his friend, Harry Chapin about doing a performance in Jamestown to raise awareness about the current condition of The Palace.
In June of 1981, The Palace featured Chapin live in concert which was the first live performance show to be held in the theater in 25 years! The concert experience was marred for artist and audience, alike, due to a leaky roof which allowed rain water to enter the theatre during the performance. This prompted Chapin to offer a return to Jamestown for another concert, though as a fundraiser, if the community would organize an effort to save and repair the building. Sadly, Chapin's second performance was not to be. Chapin was tragically lost in a car accident the following month.
However, Chapin's encouragement truly sparked the beginnings of a local push to save The Palace.
Thank you, Harry Chapin.
A group of citizens, with the help of the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency and the Gebbie Foundation, banded together to repair and clean up the theater. By October 1982, the theater was once again ready to host performances.
In February 1987, the $3.35 million Palace Civic Center capital campaign was started to completely renovate the old Palace. Enter The Reginald and Elizabeth Lenna Foundation which made an early donation of $1 million and by the Fall season the campaign had exceeded its goal by raising $3.5 million. In 1998, The Palace was officially renamed the Reg Lenna Civic Center.
A renovation began in 1989 which included the removal of all seats for reupholstering, a reconstruction of the orchestra pit, the installation of new stage lighting and equipment, new curtains and house lights, handicapped seating, a new stage door and loading dock, new floor coverings and stage floor, a new stage entrance and new heating and cooling systems. Additionally, artwork that was original to the theater was repaired and cleaned.
So, on October 12, 1990 the beautifully restored, 1,269-seat Reg Lenna Civic Center held its grand reopening and soon after received a League of Historic American Theatres Award for the quality and workmanship of its grand restoration.
Construction on the master plan to renovate all of The Reg facilities was completed in December 2018.
In February 2000, the community lost a great friend and benefactor with the passing of Reg Lenna. His wife, Betty, passed in 2011.
Thank you, Reg and Betty Lenna. We, as residents of Jamestown and of the County, are eternally grateful.
Editor's Note: Due to my vast interest in historical places which includes historical theatres, I chose to share The Palace and its history. The, now, Reg Lenna Civic Center and the Chautauqua Lake Pops (formerly the Bemus Bay Pops) continues to be an entertainment venue for all who enjoy the arts. The former Palace and the Pops truly have many things in common as entertainment venues. A Pops slogan through the years comes to mind .. Bringing the Arts to the People. It, too, can be applied to The Reg.
Thank you, Dan and Sue Dalpra.
