The President Theatre
Community Arts Center
The President Theatre
111 Broad St
PO Box 353
Manchester, GA 31816
ph: 706-573-6127
rgarrett
Progress
We are very excited to share the most recent progress! The matching grant provided by the Georgia Department of Tourism Product Development, Meriwether County, and the Manchester Development Authority has made this possible. We are so very grateful for your confidence and support!
We can see the light! Can You???
Many may not remember the tower. It was removed in the early 60's. Those who do, have already expressed excitement at seeing an old memory.
There is enough steel that this tower will be very difficult to remove any time soon! 
Thank you to the generous contractors who spent their Saturday in the basement of The President Theatre!
Hard at work removing a VERY heavy 70 year old AC turbine
~ A piece of the original stage valance from 1936~
~ Leah & Jerry working hard on the plans for the rendering~
(click on the picture to link to their web site)
Billy working hard to preserve the existing
valance on the stage
~Chair sections we found in the basement of the theatre.~
~The new ones will certainly be in better shape!~
~Logo on shirts~
~Be one of the first to get yours!~
~Contact us for more information~
~The President Theatre, 2008~
~Our before picture. Can you see the magic?~
~Making the basement stairs sturdy~
~Leah and Susan from Lominack Kolman Smith Architects,here to draw existing condition plans~
~ Regina and Carolyn of the Rotary and the Chamber of commerce with the final rendering~
So Far, So GOod!
We are On THe Way!
- The New Years Eve Gala of 2008 allowed us to purchase replacment windows for the theatre. We look forward to an even bigger and better Gala in 2009.
- We have purchased the building!
- Research through the League of Historic Theaters as well as multiple other internet and library resources was conducted to further understand the scale, work involved, and cost incured when restoring a historic theater.
- A structural engineer from Wright Engineering company evaluated and approved the soundness of the building wih few structural support sugesstions.
- Mr. Lominack of Lominack Kolman Smith Architects, experienced with restoration of historic buildings and working with non-profit organizations, conducted a preliminary project evaluation. Results were postive and promising.
- A team of excited, energetic, and committed citizens is being organized to support fundraising efforts for the theatre. .
- The team of our Board of Directors has combined experience in theatre produtions, audio and visual systems, cultural arts administration needs, accounting, contracting, carpentry, public relations, and fundraising. We are all excited as to the goals and expectations of The President Theatre Community Arts Center.
- Lominack Kolman Smith Architects has completed as built plans. A meeting at their office facilitated conversations about our first phase completion expectations. Our next step will be to coordinate a meeting of all those involved in the project and those interested in the success of the project.
- Interior deconstruction debris continues to be removed.
Words From the Architects
- Everyone can expect the theatre to be restored successfully.
- There is some floor beam stabilization needed in order to further the restoration project beyond planning.
- Suggestions were made and will be followed to re-contact Wright Engineering for further structural evaluation.
- The architects will return on the 26th of July for final measuring and surveying for existing condition plans.
- Following the July visit, the President and Vice-President will visit Savannah in order to draft the finished plans for the theatre.
The President Theatre Community Arts Center will operate as a non-profit organization. The expectation is that the community will embrace the project and make every effort to make the theater the very best opportunity for fellowship and entertainment in the tri-county area.
The President Theatre
111 Broad St
PO Box 353
Manchester, GA 31816
ph: 706-573-6127
rgarrett
