The Republican journal., 1912-12-19

address from Hon. William u. Crosby. 1t may
be mentioned here that grandson of Gov
Crosby. Mr.. Horace Chenery, was one of the
promoters of the Colonial Theater and occu-
pies handsome suite of offices in the build
ing. When Peirces' Hall, later known as
Peirces' Parlor Theater, was built in 1852 it was
great advance over the other halls. 1t was
in the second story of brick block, Corner of
Church and Franklin streets was 72 by IS feet,
Is feet high and had a stage and gallery
across the opposite end. 1t was dedicated
Thanksgiving eve, 1852. Then we had another
advance in Hayford Hall, in the second story
of the block built in lS66-6S on the corner of
Church and Beaver streets. The first build
ing, three stories in height on Church street,
four on Beaver, so by 60 feet on the ground,
was built in 1866. and the addition on Church
street, containing four stores, in 1868. The
hall was first opened to the public on the even
ing of May l2, 1869. The hall is "a by 65 feet,
27 feet high, has a stage 25 by % feet and a
gallery on three sides. The scenery for the
stage was painted by local artists, and this
hall, which later became the Belfast Opera
House, was equal to like places of amusement
in any town city of its size in the State and
superior to many. Succeeding managers have
made many improvements. and the present
manager, Mr.. Walter H. Clifford, has kept up
with the times and is now running it mainly as
a first class picture house.
Now We have the Colonial Theater. gen.
eral description of the building was publish
ed at the time of its completion but many de-
tails of interest were not given. 1t should be
understood that it is not a remodeied building.
but was built for theater exclusively, from
plans by an experienced architect. The en-
trance is from the street level through hand
some lobby with grsnoithic floor. double swing
ing doors. and walls decorated in yellow and
white. The box Office is on the left as you
enter The color scheme of the interior is
Colonial yellow, ,and that idea is further carried
out in the beams overhead which support the
ceiling. These, with the proscenium arch, are
set off with white. The predominating color
is the one most restful to the eye and the
whole effect is more artistic and more pleas
ing than the gaudy decorations so generally
used in places of amusement
On tne TiSLt as you enter the tnedler is
cloak room with hooks for hanging garments,
each hook numbered and having correspond
ing check. This will be used for the first time
for the Chapman concert. The main floor
slopes SO that every seat commands a good
view of the stage, and the same may be said
of the spacious gallery, access to which is by
stairways on each side. Down a flight of
stairs on the left is the ladies' retiring room,
with lavatory and toilet, a large mirror and a
check room for wraps and parcels. On the op-
posite side is smoking room, with toilet, etc,
and on the WALL in glass case, is distribut-
ing board for electricity, with the meters in
closed cabinets each side The lights in
the building are controlled from a switch
board in the box office.
Next in order is visit to the stage, which
has handsome velvet drop curtain, is spac-
ous well equipped with scenery and all
the necessary appliances. A switchboard in
the wings controls the footights, which may
be red, green or blue as desired There is a
door on the stage level for taking in baggage
and farther on large doors for taking in seem
cry by use of a derrick. Under the stage is
the room tor the orchestra and nine dressing
rooms, including large room for chorus
These rooms are all sheathed in hard pine,
steam-heated, lighted by electricity and sup
piled with lavatories and hot and cold water.
There is an entrance to these rooms from the
level. Underneath is spacious and we'll
lighted boiler room with outside entrance
through rollway.
The building is heated with steam through
out, and there is no question but that it can be
kept warm in the coolest weather. The day of
our visit was a cold and clustering one and with
the radiators open on only one side the tenn
perature was 70. There are fire extinguishers
everywhere and hydrants with hose at hand
ready to be attached if needed. The means
provided for exit in case of fire should be ade-
quate for any emergency. The main entrance
is on the street level with doors that swing
outward. On the right of the first row of
orchestra seats double doors open, by press ng
down brass handle, upon platform and a
few steps lead to terra firma. Like doors in
the gallery open upon the fiat roof of an ad-
joining building. Doors on each side, never
fastened, admit occupants of the gallery to
outside. There are two large ventilators in
the roof and by the use of fans operated by
machinery the air in the theater may be
changed in ten minutes. In lighting, heat
ing, ventilating and protection in case of
fire The Colonial is certainly up-to date.
The picture booth on the roof, 80 feet from
the stage, is an independent structure, covered
with galvanized iron, and has door opening
upon the fiat roof 1t has the same ventlating
system as the theater, which is required by
law. The only openings into the theater are
those through which the pictures are shown,
and in of fire the burning of cord lets
fall slides which cover these openings. Il
would be useless to attempt to describe the
picture machine. 1t is certainly wonderful
| invention.
All parts of the theater are connected by
telephone.
Belfast has reason to be proud of its Colonial
Theater.
'NOt Guilty. in the Jacobson Case