Simon Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Simon Theatre is a theater in Brenham
, Texas
. It was built by James Simon, designed by Houston architect
Alfred C. Finn
, and constructed in 1925. For many decades the Simon Theatre provided the community with a setting for theatrical performances, vaudeville
acts, ballroom dance
s, special events and movies.
has listed it as an Endangered Historic Property. The Brenham Main Street Historical Preservation, an historical preservation project, is creating a downtown visitor center within the building. The Simon Theatre is part of the Brenham Downtown Historic District
, an historical landmark on the National Register of Historic Places
.
, John Nau, stated that the Simon Center in downtown Brenham would restore a historic building and be, "a tremendous economic development investment for the community." The plans include refurbishing the 83-year-old theater and ballroom so that it may be used as a convention center and visitors center. The "Save Our Simon reached the $2 million mark at the end of 2008 and has raised $2.3 million so far."
"Dallas architecture ArchiTexas is overseeing the design of the theater. The company has done restorations of courthouses and other old theaters in Texas." Donna Cummins - Save Our Simon administrator stated.
Brenham, Texas
Brenham is a city in east-central Texas in Washington County, Texas, United States, with a population of 16,147 according to the 2009 census. It is the county seat of Washington County...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It was built by James Simon, designed by Houston architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Alfred C. Finn
Alfred C. Finn
Alfred Charles Finn , a notable Texan architect, was born in Bellville, Texas, on July 2, 1883. Finn grew up in Hempstead, and moved to Houston in 1900 to work for Southern Pacific Railroad as a carpenter and draftsman. Finn was an architect for the Capitol Lofts, the Ezekiel W...
, and constructed in 1925. For many decades the Simon Theatre provided the community with a setting for theatrical performances, vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
acts, ballroom dance
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
s, special events and movies.
Recognition
The Simon Theatre is recognized by The League of Historic American Theatres as a Texas Historic Theatre, and the Architecture Division of the Texas Historical CommissionTexas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas....
has listed it as an Endangered Historic Property. The Brenham Main Street Historical Preservation, an historical preservation project, is creating a downtown visitor center within the building. The Simon Theatre is part of the Brenham Downtown Historic District
Brenham Downtown Historic District
The Brenham Downtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The district was built by Alfred C. Finn and others in classic revival style. Included in the district is the Simon Theatre....
, an historical landmark on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Simon Center
The Simon Theatre is currently under renovations and will be renamed the Simon Center. "Save our Simon" is an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Simon Theatre. On September 28, 2007, the organization raised $1.2 million for the renovation of the Simon Theatre. On February 22, 2007, the chairman of the Texas Historical CommissionTexas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas....
, John Nau, stated that the Simon Center in downtown Brenham would restore a historic building and be, "a tremendous economic development investment for the community." The plans include refurbishing the 83-year-old theater and ballroom so that it may be used as a convention center and visitors center. The "Save Our Simon reached the $2 million mark at the end of 2008 and has raised $2.3 million so far."
"Dallas architecture ArchiTexas is overseeing the design of the theater. The company has done restorations of courthouses and other old theaters in Texas." Donna Cummins - Save Our Simon administrator stated.
See also
- History of the Jews in Brenham, TexasHistory of the Jews in Brenham, TexasThe history of the Jews in Brenham, Texas, covers a period of over 140 years. As one of the first areas in Texas, outside of major population centers, to develop a sizable Jewish population, the community boasts many things of historical note. The Brenham community was formally organized in...