The New York State Movie Theatre Corridor. Logo donated by Scott Wood
Vitascope Hall, 1896. Buffalo, NY: The World's First Movie Theater
Stanley Theatre, Utica, NY (c1928)
Mark-Strand Theatre, NYC (opened 1914): The World's First Movie Palace
Between Buffalo, NY (site of Vitascope Theatre, the world's first purpose-built movie theatre opened by Mitchell Mark in 1896) and New York City (site of the Mark-Strand Theatre, the world's first movie palace built by Mitchell Mark in 1914) there are hundreds of historic theatres especially along the route of the Erie Canal, Amtrak, and the New York State Thruway.
This is the New York State Movie Theatre Corridor.
The NYSMTC is an international tourist destination for lovers of Movies, Architecture, Theatre, Music, Dance and all forms of Media and performing arts. There are more than 125 standing, functioning historic theatres in New York State. Historically, the number probably exceeds 2000, the majority of them now demolished.
Established in 2008 as an activity of Buffalo International Film Festival, Inc. (a 501c3 not-for-profit charity), NYSMTC is supported by tax-deductible public and corporate generosity.
Co-Sponsored by The Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor
The Planning Committee includes:
Craig Morrison, Architect and Historian; author: Theatres (Library of Congress Books).
Karen Noonan, President, Theatre Historical Society of America, a national organization.
Andrea Rebeck, Architect, consultant on restoration of Hollywood Theatre, Gowanda, NY.
Ranjit Sandhu, Theater Historian; Hollywood, CA
Edward Summer, President, Buffalo International Film Festival, Inc.
Activities of The New York State Movie Theatre Corridor will include:
Brass Markers at the sites of every historic theatre (standing and demolished) in New York State
A Guidebook showing the history, location, and activities of all operating theatres
A History Book covering the history of Movie Theatres and theatres in general in New York State
A "Movie Theatre Passport" (modelled on the National Park Service Passport) and a collectible stamps and rubber stamp system.
Coordinated Marketing Program to encourage tourism to NY State with travel to these theatres as a destination.
Community Coordination and Resources to help local businesses work with Historic Theatres to benefit from destination tourism and theatre programming (Movies, Video, Dance Performances, Plays, Orchestras, Popular Music Performances, Lectures). Local businesses like restaurants, motels and hotels, souvenir businesses will flourish with this program.
The New York State Movie Theatre Corridor is looking for:
Major Funders Principal Sponsors Media Partners Programming Supporters University Partners Organizational Supporters
A detailed PowerPoint Presentation is available on request.
Please write to us at MovieTheatreCorridor (AT) Gmail.Com (please substitute @ for (AT)
All donations and support are fully tax-deductible.
