Strand Theater (Lakewood, New Jersey)
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Strand Theatre
| nrhp_type =
| image = Strand_Theater.JPG
| caption =
| location = 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood Township, New Jersey
| coordinates = {{coord|40|5|39|N|74|12|57|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = USA New Jersey Ocean County#New Jersey#USA
| built = 1919
| architect = Thomas W. Lamb
| architecture = Art Deco, Adamesque
| added = April 22, 1982
| area =
| refnum = 82003292{{NRISref|2009a|refnum=82003292}}
| designated_other1_name = New Jersey Register of Historic Places
| designated_other1_abbr = NJRHP
| designated_other1_link = New Jersey Register of Historic Places
| designated_other1_date = March 27, 1981
| designated_other1_number = 2310{{cite web | title=New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Ocean County | url=http://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo/1identify/nrsr_lists/OCEAN.pdf#page=6 | publisher=New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection – Historic Preservation Office | page=6 | date=September 29, 2022 }}
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
| designated_other1_color = #ffc94b
}}
The Strand Theater is a vaudeville theater located at 400 Clifton Avenue in Lakewood Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 22, 1982, for its significance in architecture, art, and theater.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=82003292}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Strand Theatre |publisher=National Park Service|first1=Herbert J. |last1=Bing |date=September 1979 }} With {{NRHP url|id=82003292|photos=y|title=accompanying 11 photos}}
History
The theater was designed by Thomas W. Lamb, and built for the Ferber Amusement Company in 1922 as a place for pre-Broadway runs of shows. The first event at the theater was a showing of a silent film, Peacock Alley starring Mae Murray.Blay, Joyce. [https://archive.centraljersey.com/2002/10/31/revitalized-octogenarian-still-going-strong-2/ "Revitalized octogenarian still going strong"], CentralJersey.com, October 31, 2002. Accessed December 2, 2022. "Silent screen star Mae Murray inaugurated the Strand with her performance in the movie Peacock Alley, followed by a series of five vaudeville acts." The next show was a pre-Broadway run of "The Devine Cook" starring Florence Reed.
Within a few years of its opening, the Strand began to host vaudeville shows and silent films. Among the stars who appeared on the Strand's stage early in their careers included Burns and Allen, Milton Berle, and Ray Bolger.{{Cite web |title=Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ - Cinema Treasures |url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1292 |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=cinematreasures.org}}
During World War II, the theater became a cinema house, and omitted the vaudeville acts. As suburban multiplex movie theaters were built, the single screen theater lost its audience. During its economic decline it became an adult movie theater in the 1970s. In 1981 the theater was added to the List of Registered Historic Places in New Jersey. The theater received a $2.4 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in 1994 for restoration of its Neo-classical and Art Deco interiors.{{Cite web |title=Strand Theatre |url=https://www.state.nj.us/dca/njht/funded/sitedetails/strandtheatre.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011055347/http://www.state.nj.us/dca/njht/funded/sitedetails/strandtheatre.html |archive-date=2017-10-11 |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=nj.gov}} The theater serves as the Ocean County Center for the Arts.[https://www.lakewoodnj.gov/music Music & Performance], Township of Lakewood. Accessed December 2, 2022. "Total renovation of the theater began in 1993 and was completed in 2003. The Strand is on the NJ Register and National Register of Historic Places and serves as the Ocean County Center for the Arts."
References
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External links
- [http://www.strand.org Official website]
{{National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey}}
{{NRHP in Ocean County, New Jersey}}
Category:1922 establishments in New Jersey
Category:Art Deco cinemas and movie theaters
Category:Buildings and structures in Ocean County, New Jersey
Category:Cinemas and movie theaters in New Jersey
Category:Former cinemas in the United States
Category:Lakewood Township, New Jersey
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Ocean County, New Jersey
Category:Theatres completed in 1922
Category:Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey