The Past...A golden Era.
Built in 1928, the Palace was Lorain's crown jewel. Originally constructed as a vaudeville and silent movie showplace, audiences enjoyed the ornate, Gothic splendor lit by the 3/4 ton crystal chandelier. Sounds of the Mighty Wurilitzer Organ filled the .59 acre auditorium with its 1720 leather seats. The Palace was the first theatre in Ohio to have "talking" pictures with sound provided by the "Vitaphone." The golden era of the 1930's, 40's and early 50's brought thousands of families through the doors of the Palace. Neglect in the late 1950's, led to extensive deterioration of the interior and exterior of the theatre.
In 1977, the Lorain Palace Civic Center Committee was formed to "Save the Palace." With the contributions of major industries, foundations, and private donations, coupled with the help of countless volunteers, the Palace continues on its comeback as Lorain's crown jewel.
For nearly three-quarters of the Twentieth Century, the Lorain Palace Theatre has provided hundreds of thousands of families with quality entertainment.
The Palace marquee lights up downtown Lorain 250 nights a year as audiences frequently return for the center's many diverse events. Movies, concerts, plays, and civic meetings are among the varied programs which attract audiences from the North Coast. The Palace has truly become the civic center envisioned by the originators of the "Save the Palace" effort.
It is the year 2010. Due to the efforts of a turn-of-the-century fund raising drive, the Palace Theatre is fully restored. A group of visitors, with their tour guide, enter the Italian Renaissance foyer with its terrazzo marble and move into the mirrored lobby with its ornate frescoes.
Inside the theatre, new tapestries adorn the walls and the ceiling plaster shows off its detail with splashes of color. Computerized lighting and sound systems are in place. Dressing rooms are bright, clean, and comfortable for entertainers. On stage, the Palace Youth Theatre rehearses---a new generation of youngsters have discovered the splendor of the past!
Outside, a Palace sponsored art class paints scenes from the Black River on the grassy hill behind the theatre. In the renovated upstairs studios, a dance class sweats through routines. A large rehersal space allows actors from our community theatre to block their play. Local artists display their work in one of the Palace's storefront galleries.
Caterers prepare the banquet hall next door for an evening reception. Guests will move from the banquet, through the atrium, to the auditorium. Two semi trucks wait at the stage door to unload for a sold-out evening performance. As the tour strolls by the lower Palace office, planning is underway to fill the few open day left in the 2010 season. The Palace Theatere has become the cultural and entertainment anchor for Lorain. County.
The preceding information was copied from a publication that was in the lobby of the Palace Theatre.