Jennifer Crockett

Within weeks, residents of Astoria will witness another significant step in the restoration of the historic Liberty Theatre.

This exciting phase will focus on rejuvenating the theater‘s entire exterior along Commercial, 12th and Duane streets, returning it to its former glory just in time for our grand lady’s 100th birthday in 2025.

Like any good executive director, my priorities align with our nonprofit’s goals: creating a gathering space for the performing arts, offering innovative educational opportunities and preserving the historic icon in the center of our town.

Although the work is never truly finished, we have made strides in the first two of these goals with our stage offerings and thriving Kids Make Theatre program. The third goal has remained more elusive. Historic preservation is expensive, and things like roofs are often described as the least “sexy” fundraising item on the list. It’s hard to brag to your friends that you have a naming right on a flat roof that nobody sees.

But without maintaining the building, we have nothing. With 18 active leaks throughout the complex, a large amount of our operational budget is spent battling water. Our green room floods on show days, displacing performers. The floors in our Duane Street offices are springy with rot, and we have a stain over our McTavish Room hallway reminiscent of a horror movie. We just cannot stay ahead of the persistence of water.

Now, a very generous donor has pledged $1 million to change that. This anonymous donor has worked alongside the Liberty and Rickenbach Construction, our general contractor, to assemble a comprehensive list of repairs and rejuvenation of theater’s entire exterior — a $1.7 million endeavor.

By leveraging this donor’s pledge, the Liberty has raised $391,500 from Oregon Main Street, the Oregon Community Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, Liberty Theatre board members and individual donors. With additional foundation grant requests pending and ongoing fundraising efforts, we are determined to close the remaining $277,500 gap.

As soon as the rain clears, the community will see the exciting work begin.

For the first time in a century, cracks due to seismic issues and water intrusion will be repaired. The so-called elastomeric paint, deemed now more destructive than useful, will be replaced, and the wood rot addressed. Our historic complex will receive a new roof, and the interior damage will be repaired.

With your generous support, we can celebrate the Liberty Theatre’s 100th anniversary with a desperately needed rejuvenation, ensuring that this historic gathering space remains a vibrant component of our community for the next 100 years.

To learn more about the Liberty Theatre’s restoration plans or to discuss opportunities for support, please contact development@libertyastoria.org.