The Wieting Theatre, located at 168 Main Street in the Town of Worcester, will be the place to be on Sunday, October 17 as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The Theatre will be hosting a joint anniversary celebration open house, centered around a free concert by a quintet of accomplished musicians conducted by Jason Leo Curley of Hartwick College’s Music Department, with a special appearance by the Sweet Adelines.
This year, 2010, marks several milestones in the Town of Worcester: The Worcester Woman’s Club is celebrating 125 years, the Wieting Theatre and the Worcester Free Library are 100 years old, and the Worcester Historical Society marks its 40th Anniversary.
The library was part of the original Wieting “Opera House” building, and was expanded in 1922 when the East wing was added. The expansion also included rooms to house the Iroquois Chapter of the DAR, which will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2013.
The Worcester Woman’s Club began meeting in the lower level of the Wieting in 1950, and continues to meet there today.
“The Wieting Theatre was commissioned by Hellen Wilder-Wieting in honor of her late husband, Phillip who was the third president of the Bank of Worcester, and opened in 1910,” said Dick Jennings, president of the Wieting Memorial Association which is entrusted with the operation and maintenance of the building.
“The 286 seat Theatre still hosts first run movies as well as theatrical productions.”
These organizations have been working jointly to organize this event.
The community is invited to celebrate at the open house on Sunday, October 17 from 1–5pm. The concert, which will feature historical tidbits spanning the 125 year history of these organizations, begins at 2pm.
Visitors can also enjoy historical exhibits at the Woman’s Club, Library and DAR, including a video time capsule, along with a variety of refreshments.
To add to the fun, the Worcester Free Library will have period costumes available for a vintage photo shoot with photographer Bill Ryall.
For more information, visit the Wieting Theatre website at www.wietingtheatre.com.