On June 5, 2025, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission awarded the Colonial Theatre a grant in the amount of $100,000 to fund construction costs associated with repairing and repointing the exterior west wall of the 1903 Theatre’s building. The funding, administered from the Keystone Historic Preservation program, is a matching grant. The Colonial raised the grant’s matching requirement thanks to a lead gift from the Archie W. and Grace Berry Foundation, other generous donors, and a concert benefit, but still needs to raise an additional $40,000 to cover construction costs. The scope of the project will allow preservation experts to reinstate the structural integrity of the west wall bricks and mortar, preventing future moisture infiltration which, due to deferred maintenance, has begun to compromise the interior walls of the theatre. The most recent major flooding event alongside the west wall occurred in July 2024.
The 1903 Theatre is the Colonial Theatre’s largest venue, housing 650 seats for live and film events year-round. The space is beloved by patrons, essential to the financial sustainability of the arts non-profit, and serves as a major economic driver for the downtown Phoenixville region. From its earliest years as a vaudeville house featuring performers including Houdini, to its appearance in the 1958 science fiction film The Blob, to its most recent life as a vibrant multi-arts hub, the 1903 Theatre is integral in telling the continuing story of the ever-changing Phoenixville community members know and love.
To help the Colonial Theatre fund the additional $40,000 in construction costs, visit this website. Please reach out to Kristine Connolly at kristine@thecolonialtheatre.com with questions. Click here to read the full press release from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission’s Keystone program recipient announcement.
The official registration and financial information of Association for the Colonial Theatre (EIN# 23-2846336) may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.