History 

The Struthers Library Theatre is an award winning performing arts center in the historic river town of Warren, Pennsylvania. In 2018, the Theatre was named the Outstanding Historic Theatre of the Year by the League of Historic American Theatres for demonstrating excellence in community impact, quality of programs and services, and quality of physical restoration. The Theatre has a fascinating and vibrant history as a centerpiece of the community and entertainment focal point for the county and surrounding region. 

The Struthers Library Theatre Building stands as a monument to the generosity of Thomas Struthers, a public-minded 19th-century citizen of Warren, Pennsylvania.  Born in Ohio in 1803, Struthers was the son of pioneers. He came to Warren in 1828, married Eunice Eddy in 1832 (pictured above with daughter Anna Eliza and young Thomas), and practiced law until 1840. Struthers was an astute businessman who acquired large amounts of real estate. Among his many ventures, he was instrumental in the railroad, in the foundry which became Struthers Wells & Company, and he served as president of two local banks. He was elected to the state legislature in 1850.

In January 1882, Thomas Struthers offered to erect a library building on a lot to be provided by the citizens of Warren. The structure would house the public library, as well as rental spaces, including a public hall, to meet the expenses of library upkeep. The Struthers Library Building was completed in 1883 at a cost of about $80,000. Designed by David K. Dean of Erie, Pa., the building's architecture blends the Second Empire and Italianate styles that were popular in the late Victorian period. Thomas Struthers named seven trustees in his declaration of trust to manage the building, designating one of the trustee positions to be filled by the current President Judge.

On December 3, 1883, Library Hall opened with the opera “Iolanthe” as the entertainment. The gem-like opera house seated 916, with tinted walls and a ceiling frescoed in a Moorish design above a horseshoe balcony curving over the dress circle. Two box seats framed the stage on either side, with the lower right box reserved for the Struthers family. Gas footlights illuminated the stage. Library Hall could be converted to a ballroom when a folding wooden dance floor, stored in the basement, was assembled over the entire orchestra seating area.

The magnificent second-floor Library Room featured oak woodwork, a brass gasolier, and a ceiling supported by four massive iron columns. This well-outfitted library served the public until the new library building on Market Street was opened in 1916. In 1984 the Library Room was restored to its original splendor and outfitted for special events. In 2019, following further restoration and upgrades, the designation "Mead Family Library Room" was bestowed in honor of the family's commitment to the preservation and stewardship of the Library Room.

The fourth floor was designed specifically for use as a Masonic Lodge and featured a grand hall, anterooms, and a large banquet room. From about 1917 to 1922, the New Process Company occupied the large hall. This space is now used as a rehearsal hall.         

There were two store spaces on the ground floor, one of which was used by the post office until 1917.  Other tenants over the years have included a brokerage office, tea room, beauty parlor, plumber, printer, and shoe, radio, clothing, pizza, book, flower and gift shops.  Basement rooms under the auditorium housed a bicycle shop and the Warren “Ledger” offices.     

Major renovations in 1915 and 1919 resulted in an updated theatre interior designed to accommodate vaudeville and motion pictures. Library Hall was gutted, the floor was lowered and inclined, a new balcony was constructed, the proscenium arch was enlarged and a four-story dressing room addition was built on the north side. The auditorium currently seats 902, including seating areas exclusively for the use of 12 handicapped patrons.  In its heyday as a vaudeville house, the Library Theatre hosted many entertainment luminaries, including Harry Houdini, John Philip Sousa, Irene Castle, Harry Lauder, Victor Herbert and Cecil B. DeMille.

Subsequently, the theatre was leased to two different movie house chains between 1930 and 1966, and after continued fading attendance, the last movie was screened on September 30, 1980. In January 1981, local volunteers, with the blessing of the trustees, began the process of reclaiming the theatre as a performing arts venue.

In early 1982, the community was invited to join the newly formed “Friends of the Library Theatre”. With a ground swell of public support, the Friends launched a successful funding campaign which made extensive renovations possible. On October 15, 1983, the Library Theatre celebrated its 100th birthday with a grand re-opening gala. In 1985, an ambitious professional summer theatre program began, delighting audiences for almost 20 years. Year round multi-arts use of the building has continued unabated.

In October 2008, the Struthers Library Theatre, now the nation’s 18th oldest theatre, celebrated its 125th birthday with a Gala and kicked off a 1.25 million dollar capital campaign. Major facility improvements and technical upgrades continue to keep the theatre in fine form. 

The theatre's 135th birthday was marked in 2018 by a gala celebration and significant capital campaign that brought an elevator to the theatre, a stunning new marquee, and the first new roof in over 80 years, new seating, and full accessibility for all patrons.

This vibrant theatre is the home of Warren Players, one of the nation’s longest continuously operating amateur theatre groups, and also offers a theatrical school for children.  The SLT, with the sponsorship support of local and regional businesses and foundations, presents an annual Celebrity Series and Regional Series, featuring world renowned musicians, eclectic performers, and comedians.  The Friends of the Library Theater present the Anne P. Mallinson Film Series showing 12 classic and contemporary movies a year. Other local musical organizations, including the Warren Concert Association and Yankee Bush Productions, call the Struthers Library Theatre’s stage home, keeping it the foremost performing arts center in the region. Thomas Struthers’ gift is now serving its seventh generation of theatre-goers.

Ellen Paquette

August 2019