The Kenworthy Theatre in downtown Moscow, Idaho, has been a staple of the small arts community for nearly 100 years.
Classic movies and arthouse films are shown at the venue year round — the kind you won’t find in regular movie theaters. Live music events are also part of the scene.
Over time, the Kenworthy’s marquee rusted. Its neon lights lost their spark over time. But now, thanks to several grants, donations and months of work, the historic sign has been refurbished to its former glory.
“It’s incredible to see how bright it is,” said Colin Mannex, the Kenworthy’s executive director, as he stepped onto the top of the marquee through a small theater door. “To have it restored to its full luminous capacity is just amazing.”
Much of the metal sign had to be removed in order to be properly fixed to historic building standards, he said, which took more than three months.
The $200,000 marquee preservation project includes new custom cabinets, LED backlighting, running lights, and neon tubes to match the building facade from 1949, Mannex said.
Funding support for the project came from Idaho Heritage Trust in conjunction with the National Parks Service, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and the Innovia Foundation, according to a press release.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., followed by a free celebratory screening of “Sunset Boulevard” at 8 p.m.
The next phase of the Kenworthy’s restoration will be raising funds for a new 4K projector, Mannex said.
“That will allow us to show films with new industry standards and film restoration projects that we’re excited to show here in the theatre,” he said.
Lewiston’s theater revival
About 30 miles south of Moscow, another historic theater is getting a makeover.
Construction to restore the Liberty Theater’s marquee in downtown Lewiston is set to begin at the end of the month, said Jan Johnson, president of the Liberty Theater Preservation Alliance , a local nonprofit dedicated to restoring the theater.
“The Liberty’s theater marquee is a beloved downtown landmark,” said Johnson, who explained the nonprofit group was also awarded an Idaho Heritage Trust grant through the National Park Service for $100,000 to help with restoration efforts.
“As work begins on the marquee, we are now raising funds to restore our blade sign – the vertical sign that spells out ‘liberty’ above the marquee,” Johnson said.
L.P.T.A’s volunteer group is getting ready to launch a campaign to raise funds to remake the interior of the theater.
The Liberty Theater closed in 2005 and sat unused for 10 years, said Johnson. New York developer Mark Alexander bought the theater in 2015, according to the Lewiston Tribune.
“In 2018, developer Mark Alexander gifted it to our local nonprofit in the hopes of spurring the arts scene downtown,” she said.
Once the theater is fully redone, the goal is to show foreign and classic films, documentaries, bands, and even small dramatic acts, Johnson said.
“The balcony will be casual seating with a bar, where we’ll hopefully be able to serve beer, wine and canned cocktails,” she said. “We’ll also be able to stream live events like the Metropolitan Opera or the Academy Awards.”
The theater will also be available to rent for weddings and parties, Johnson said.
