Alamo Theatre seeks donations

BUCKSPORT – The project doesn’t sound terribly difficult: 6,000 bricks and 140-square feet of copper sheeting just need to be settled into position.

“I figured we could borrow some trowels and round up a few volunteers some Saturday. But then we took a long look and realized we had a serious, complicated and expensive situation on our hands,” remembers David Weiss, executive director of Northeast Historic Film.

Many people cherish the 1916 brick building Northeast Historic Film has called home since 1992. For more than 90 years the Alamo Theatre has been an anchor for the downtown business district and is one of the oldest movie theaters still operating in Maine.

But the original bricks in the Main Street facade have become a hazard. The building needs immediate rebuilding and repointing. The mortar has crumbled, bricks have loosened and the parapet is held from tumbling onto passersby with a temporary structure. The cost of the renovation project is $101,000, Weiss said.

The town of Bucksport has been given a $43,000 grant, funded by Maine’s Community Enterprise grant program. The Davis Family Foundation made a $20,000 grant which may be used for the effort, and the Northeast Historic Film board of directors has stepped up to donate an additional $10,000.

That leaves $28,000 yet to raise. Grants are being written and approaches to previous funding sources made, but time is running out. A commitment and payment to the contractors must be made by May 31 or the work cannot be scheduled. If that happens, under terms of MCE guidelines, the $43,000 would have to be returned.

“We are asking supporters and friends to help us reach the goal. All gifts of any size will be most gratefully accepted,” Weiss said. Donors will be listed on a new donor board in the theater lobby. Moviegoers will have the chance to “buy” paper bricks for $1 and $5.

Leadership gifts of at least $100 will be commemorated with a name or message etched on a real brick installed on the Main Street masonry.

“I’d like to see everyone in town with a brick in their hands,” Weiss said. “Well, let me rephrase that – how about, I would greatly appreciate the support of the people of Bucksport and the surrounding area as we work to save the front of this fine Main Street building.”

Northeast Historic Film approached local masons about the project, but they weren’t able to accept. Haskell and Hall of Portland was selected as one of the few Maine masonry companies recommended by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

“Since 1999 we’ve put over 100,000 people through the front doors and into the Alamo for a movie, and not one of them was conked on the head with a brick,” said Weiss. “I’d kind of like to be able to say that again when we reach 200,000.”

To obtain information or to get your hands on a brick, call 469-0924, visit www.oldfilm.org or e-mail nhf@oldfilm.org.