Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Before it became roller rink, it was a movie and stage theater. This one was showing "The Merry Widow". Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Taken in 1955. Already converted to roller rink because the name of the theater is gone on the marquee. Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Taken sometimes after 1955 that the marquee was removed. New trim paint job was completed. Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Taken in around 1977 to 1980 because of the 1977-1980 Oldsmobile parked in the parking lot seen on the left. The bridge this photographer took was open to drive over. Yes, marquee is back again. The trims were painted White once again. Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Taken in 1990. Yes, that was an 80s station wagon parked on the street. No trims on this building in 1990. Very 1980s look. Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. 2012 was the year this photo was taken. Truly updated look, new colors, new sign, marquee is gone again. First floor bricks are gone and replaced with then popular fake flatstones veneer. It is now called Cassatt Crossing. Source: Google.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Bricks are back, new trees replaced old big trees. Repainted the same as it was seen in 2012. This is 2019. Source: Loop Net.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Taken in late 1950s. Faces are blurred on purpose since they are children in 1950s. (They are in their 80s now). Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Taken in late 1950s. Faces are blurred on purpose since they are children in 1950s. (They are in their 80s now). Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer 1955.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Taken in late 1950s. Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Source: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Facebook.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Source: Delaware County Daily Times 20 September 1957, page 43.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Source: Delaware County Daily Times 19 July 1962, page 32.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer 24 August 1965, page 40.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Source: Philadelphia Daily News Monday, 13 January 1969, page 85.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA. Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer. 03 November 1991.
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, PA
Berwyn Theater Roller Rink 22 Cassatt Ave., Berwyn, Pennsylvania was once a theater turned to a roller rink.
The Berwyn Theatre was built and opened in 1913 by George Zimmerman, who lived near the station on Cassatt Avenue. Zimmerman worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Philadelphia for many years as an auditor. He was a relative of Fred Zimmerman, formerly of the theatrical firm of Nixon and Zimmerman. Frederick Nixon-Nirdlinger, also of the same firm, used theatres in Camden to build sets and try out shows before taking them on the road. George Zimmerman thought it would be just as easy to get to Berwyn on the train to do this, so he bought the piece of property next door to his home and built the Berwyn Theatre.
The theatre was used in 1921 to stage "The Berwyn Follies" utilizing local talent to benefit the Berwyn Free Library. But over the years, movies likely were released at the theater. They sometimes promoted with "dish night" when patrons got free dishes. This was very unusual promotion. Dishes? Movie theaters do not give away promotions like this anymore. Nothing. Usually a tie in at a chain restaurant.
There were attempts in 1933 and in 1947 to promote professional repertory theatre or light opera. In the summer of 1947, an eighteen year old Beverly Sills, just beginning her illustrious career, appeared on the stage of the Berwyn Theatre as "The Merry Widow" to great acclaim.
The theatre closed at the end of 1951, a victim of the rise in popularity of television. Martin Spinelli bought the theatre property in 1955 and leased it for operation as the Berwyn Roller Rink. In 1978 it became a Farmer's Market for a couple of years, and in 1980 Barclay White Construction turned it into an office building. Now, they are restoring to original look and be a theater again.
The Interior.
Originally set as a stage and motion picture theater with an auditorium seating, stage, and screen. But converted to a roller rink in 1955. Likely the floor was converted to Maple wood floor. Of course, they had to flatten the floor from theater to rink.
The Exterior.
It is a Gabled roof Free-Span Steel Trusses Stucco and Brick - Walled Theater - like Building.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Wood. Maybe Maple. Floor Layout: Straight.
Building Size: 7,131 SF (typical floor), 12,181 SF (overall). Built: 1913.
Renovations: 1955 (to be a rink), 1978 into Farmer's Market, 1980 into offices. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Stucco - Walled Theater - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: 0.5400 AC.
Organ: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- N/A.
Theater: 1913 to 1955
Rink: 1955 to
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
TEHS Quarterly Archive - October 1997, Berwyn Village Walk, by C. Herbert Fry.
Loop Net - records. PDF
Facebook - Information about the rink and theater.
Cinema Treasures -
Date of issue: 21 January 2022.
For office use only:
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.
The Berwyn Theatre was built and opened in 1913 by George Zimmerman, who lived near the station on Cassatt Avenue. Zimmerman worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Philadelphia for many years as an auditor. He was a relative of Fred Zimmerman, formerly of the theatrical firm of Nixon and Zimmerman. Frederick Nixon-Nirdlinger, also of the same firm, used theatres in Camden to build sets and try out shows before taking them on the road. George Zimmerman thought it would be just as easy to get to Berwyn on the train to do this, so he bought the piece of property next door to his home and built the Berwyn Theatre.
The theatre was used in 1921 to stage "The Berwyn Follies" utilizing local talent to benefit the Berwyn Free Library. But over the years, movies likely were released at the theater. They sometimes promoted with "dish night" when patrons got free dishes. This was very unusual promotion. Dishes? Movie theaters do not give away promotions like this anymore. Nothing. Usually a tie in at a chain restaurant.
There were attempts in 1933 and in 1947 to promote professional repertory theatre or light opera. In the summer of 1947, an eighteen year old Beverly Sills, just beginning her illustrious career, appeared on the stage of the Berwyn Theatre as "The Merry Widow" to great acclaim.
The theatre closed at the end of 1951, a victim of the rise in popularity of television. Martin Spinelli bought the theatre property in 1955 and leased it for operation as the Berwyn Roller Rink. In 1978 it became a Farmer's Market for a couple of years, and in 1980 Barclay White Construction turned it into an office building. Now, they are restoring to original look and be a theater again.
The Interior.
Originally set as a stage and motion picture theater with an auditorium seating, stage, and screen. But converted to a roller rink in 1955. Likely the floor was converted to Maple wood floor. Of course, they had to flatten the floor from theater to rink.
The Exterior.
It is a Gabled roof Free-Span Steel Trusses Stucco and Brick - Walled Theater - like Building.
The Stats:
Rink Size: N/A. Floor: Wood. Maybe Maple. Floor Layout: Straight.
Building Size: 7,131 SF (typical floor), 12,181 SF (overall). Built: 1913.
Renovations: 1955 (to be a rink), 1978 into Farmer's Market, 1980 into offices. Demolished: Still standing.
Type of Building: Free-Span Steel Trusses Stucco - Walled Theater - like Building.
Roof: Gabled.
Acres: 0.5400 AC.
Organ: N/A.
Operated: (Overall)-- N/A.
Theater: 1913 to 1955
Rink: 1955 to
Reason for Closure: N/A.
Wanted: Information regarding exact dates of open/closed, why closed, size of rink, rink materials. Also photos/articles. Anyone knows or have photos, please let me know by emailing at [email protected]. Thank you. You can also use this form.
Sources:
TEHS Quarterly Archive - October 1997, Berwyn Village Walk, by C. Herbert Fry.
Loop Net - records. PDF
Facebook - Information about the rink and theater.
Cinema Treasures -
Date of issue: 21 January 2022.
For office use only:
© Copyrighted by Dead-Rinks. All Rights Reserved. Jn 3:3 and 16.