On May 19th, the historic Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will celebrate its 80th birthday with a rededication ceremony.
    The structure stands as a symbol of the rich history that emerged from the region’s Anthracite period, and as a testimonial to the commitment of Scranton’s Masonic fraternity. Located at 420 North Washington Avenue, the Cultural Center sits at the heart of what many consider to be the single most architecturally significant block in the entire region— flanked by the Albright Memorial Library and the current Children’s Library (the former Christian Science Church), along with the Scranton School District Administration Building and a host of architecturally significant structures including Lackawanna College (former Scranton Central High School and the Deutsch Institute).

    The history of the Scranton Masonic Temple began in 1916 with a meeting of a small group of Freemasons, held at Scranton’s Hotel Jermyn. Freemasonry was experiencing a significant growth in membership throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, that by 1926 was estimated to include some 4,000 members in the city of Scranton alone. Plans were formulated for the construction of a facility that could house all of the city’s Masonic lodges, with a dual purpose of providing a much-needed Grand Ballroom that could serve the general public. Built as the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral, the Masons raised $1.2 million for the facility’s
construction, with a total cost of $2.4 million, including furnishings. 
    In 1926, the construction of the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral began by enlisting the services of acclaimed architect Raymond M. Hood (1881-1934). Hood, a graduate of MIT and the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s designing Neo-Gothic skyscrapers, including the Tribune Tower in Chicago, the American Radiator Building, the New York Daily News building, and Rockefeller Center in New York City, as well as the Scranton Cultural Center.
    The building opened for the first time on January 2, 1930, when the first Masonic Lodge meeting was convened. It is primarily designed in three parts: the Theatre, Grand Ballroom, and Masonic Lodges. The 180,000-square-foot building, with six stories above ground and three stories below, is constructed with an exterior of Indiana limestone laid in ashlar masonry coursing, with a structural steel framework, housing two theaters, a grand ballroom, several meeting rooms, and numerous other usable areas.
    Over the years, as membership in Freemasonry began to decline, so did the physical condition of the grand building. Community leaders recognized that only through a concerted effort by the general public and with the assistance of local, county, and state governments could the building be saved. In 1986, the name was changed to the Scranton Cultural Center and a non-profit organization was formed to manage the facility. Although the Scranton Cultural Center has retained its Masonic traditions, the Mission Statement of the non-profit clearly reflects the vision of the organization as a resource that is open to the general public: “The mission of the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is to rejuvenate a national architectural treasure as a regional center for the arts, education, and community activities appealing to all.”
    Matt Flynn serves as the Cultural Center’s executive director.
    “We have a treasure that we have the obligation to share,” he said. “To do anything less would be taking away from the quality of Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
    Among the many majestic rooms incorporated into the Cultural Center are the Main Stage, Grand Ballroom, the Library, Shopland Hall, and the Ladies Parlor. Located on the first floor, the Main Stage (now known as the Weinberg Theatre) seats 1,865 people. Dedicated in 2006, the Cultural Center received a $2,000,000 grant from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and its trustees for major renovations to the Theatre. The Grand Ballroom seats up to 1,000 people for dinner, and standing room up to 3,000. The Library room on the second floor contains hundreds of volumes of Masonic history and has been dedicated to the late Governor Robert P. Casey, who was instrumental in the renovation of the building and in the formation of the non-profit corporation. As governor, he provided $12,000,000 in state funding that served as the keystone of the fundraising effort. Shopland Hall, on the fourth floor, is now used for theatrical productions, weddings and receptions, and as an active Masonic Lodge. The Ladies Parlor, stunningly appointed and overlooking the Grand Ballroom, was traditionally used as a meeting place by various ladies auxiliaries of the Masons. 

    Noelle Vetrosky, marketing liaison for the Cultural Center, noted the efforts of the Center in reaching out to the community at-large. Vetrosky praised the many media partners, including WNEP-TV, Entercom Communications, Lamar Advertising, Comcast, and the Times-Tribune. All work closely with the Cultural Center in the promotion of the facility and its many program events. Also, Vetrosky acknowledged the Cultural Center’s community partners: the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Broadway Theater League of Northeast Pennsylvania, Lackawanna County Library System, Everhart Museum, Waverly Community House, and Lackawanna County Visitors and Convention Bureau.
    “Despite the difficult economic times, individual and corporate sponsorship has remained committed to the Cultural Center,” Vetrosky said.
    Illustrative of the Scranton Cultural Center’s commitment to its mission is the diverse arts and culture programming offered at the Center. The Cultural Center is always interested in partnering with schools in their outreach efforts and is continuing its long-time relationships with local, cultural mainstays and community partners, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and Broadway Theatre League of Northeast Pennsylvania.
    “Age groups see us differently, effecting the way that the Cultural Center develops its programming,” Vetrosky added.
    The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic will perform at the Scranton Cultural Center on April 9th, featuring “An Evening with Tony Award Winner Debbie Gravitte”, and on April 30th with “Masterworks 4: Season Finale” marking the conclusion of the fifth season under the direction of Maestro Lawrence Loh. Broadway Theatre League of Northeast Pennsylvania is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the remaining schedule for 2010 includes Jesus Christ Superstar, Riverdance Farewell Performances, Mamma Mia, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
    Events Coordinator Erin Speicher discussed “Dinner at the Theatre.” Patrons can enjoy dinner prior to each of the Broadway Theatre shows in the Ladies Parlor, catered by Constantino’s Catering. In addition, the Cultural Center recently refurbished the Raymond Hood Room, a pub in the lower level serving refreshments and lite fare, both prior to and following performances. The Hood Room, as with all rooms in the facility, is available for rental for private events, accommodating from 25-2,500 guests.
    “All of the various rooms of the Center are available for rental to parties of any size for events ranging from large weddings and receptions to corporate meetings and small private parties,” Speicher said.
    An upcoming show will feature the alternative American Chicago-based rock band, WILCO, on March 31st in the Grand Ballroom. WILCO is merely the latest of a long line of well-established and renowned musicians to have appeared at the Cultural Center. The impressive list of entertainers that have graced the stages at the Cultural Center include the legendary Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, and rock guitar great Jeff Beck, who appeared just days after his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in Cleveland.
    This year, the Cultural Center has added the Lamar Franklin Institute of Science Series. The series will include three performances, from May 3rd-5th, to include the subject areas of energy, flight and motion, and machines. This series is in addition to the ongoing series already available at the Center, including “The View” with a Scranton Attitude, sponsored by Entercom Communications; Allied Services Comedy Series; and WNEP-TV 16 Thursday Talks! which deals with topics ranging from beauty, finance, and home and garden, as well as a children’s series.
    According to Cultural Center figures for 2008, more than 180,000 individuals visited the Scranton Cultural Center, a clear sign of the sustainability and resilience of this most venerable of regional institutions. It represents the best of Northeastern Pennsylvania through its blend of historical significance and its ability to provide state-of-the-art, quality entertainment to today’s audiences. The Cultural Center nonprofit organization and the Masonic Order deserve great praise for their efforts to revitalize the Masonic Temple. 

    Anyone interested in additional information about the Scranton Cultural Center may access its website at www.scrantonculturalcenter.org. To plan an event, contact Erin Speicher at (570) 346-7369, ext. 135. To discuss giving opportunities and volunteer contributions, contact Laurie Cadden at (570) 346-7369, ext. 103. For program schedules or to purchase event tickets, contact the Box Office at (570) 344-1111.