The "Buying Up The Block" Story

The historic Fulton Opera House in downtown Lancaster, PA.

It was an ordinary day.  Just made another delivery to the Fulton Opera House in downtown Lancaster, PA.  Every year I have been making altered Polaroid prints of the Fulton for the retiring members of their board of directors.  Aaron Young, the managing director, contacted me recently with the five names for the photos for this year.  I have brass plaques made with name and years of service for the retiring members and place the plaque under the photo which I mat and frame.  I called early today to tell them I was ready to deliver the five finished photos.  I was told to drive to the north side of the Fulton, park along the alley and ring the bell.  Someone would buzz me in and I could ride the elevator to the third floor to deliver the photos.  The Fulton Opera House is amazing.  I have done a series of stories on the history of the place, but it never ceases to amaze me when I enter the building and step back into history.  The 1852 building is still beautiful, even the elevator.  The elevator is huge, since it was built to move sets from the lower levels to the stage.  Brass railings line the sides of the elevator and maroon velvet covers parts of the sides.  The Fulton is considered to be the nation's oldest continuously operating theatre and is a National Historic Landmark.  And now, there will be a few more changes to the Fulton.  

The Fulton can be seen as the light colored building on the
right side of this photo.  The Fulton is attempting to buy
the remaining buildings pictured here so they can preserve
the historic corner in downtown Lancaster, PA.

In a short time the main stage will be geared for musicals while a new theatre, known as the Black Box Theatre is being built on the fourth floor of the building.  It will be used for more intimate and smaller shows.  Mostly plays will be performed in the Black Box Theatre since fewer theatergoers come to the Fulton to see plays than to see musicals.  Early September will see the first play to reach the stage in the new theatre.  But, not only is there going to be a new stage, there are more changes in store for the Fulton.  Between the Fulton, which is located in the first block of North Prince Street, and West King Street, are located several buildings which the Fulton has been buying since the early 2000's.  Several board members have bought some buildings and donated them to the Fulton while other board members have donated to the purchase of buildings.  The buildings being purchased are bounded by North Prince, West King, North Water and West Grant Streets.  Within that area there is only one building, at 6 N. Prince, that doesn't belong to the Fulton.  The expansion will allow the Fulton to add more amenities for the guests who visit.  More restrooms is a top priority.  An expanded backstage area and storage area are other priorities.  The Fulton would also like to be able to provide housing for traveling programs which they book for their stage.  The Fulton does own other locations around the city to accommodate performers, but would like to keep everyone in one central location.  I'm anxious to see what is in store for the south-east corner of the block where the Fulton is located.  I'm sure it will be as impressive as the elevator I rode to deliver my photos today.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.