Newtown Theatre Wins 2022 Preservation Achievement Award

NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Theatre’s recent renovation project has won a 2022 Preservation Achievement Award from the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, the theatre announced in a news release this week.

Winners were selected by a jury of preservation professionals based on the quality of the work, how the undertaking increased awareness of historic preservation, and the benefit realized by the community and visitors.

The Newtown Theatre underwent a huge renovation in 2021, closing between August and December.

Built in 1831 as a gatherings hall, the theatre has a history of hosting anti-slavery meeting — including a sermon by Frederick Douglass. Though it underwent a reconstruction in 1883, the theatre had largely been untouched for more than 50 years at the time of the renovation by Mershon Builders.

Visitors will experience a new hardwood floor, new vintage-style seats on the first floor, repaired plaster, a new coat of paint, a new fully accessible toilet room on the first floor, a wheelchair lift, a rebuilt front porch, new acoustic tiles in the auditorium, and a new sprinkler system for fire protection.

Additional renovation phases in the coming years will address needed updates to the basement restrooms and the balcony, according to a news release.

"Thanks to the following for helping make our renovation project a reality: Mills + Schnoering Architects, J.M. Mershon Builders, Loring Consulting Engineers, Holmes Cunningham Engineering, Stages Consultants, Becker & Frondorf," the theater wrote, "and of course our many donors, members, friends and board members who believe in this theatre."

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