(Editor’s Note: Welcome to Part 2 of a series of articles on the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple)

by Barb Hughes

It was famed architect Raymond Hood, designer of Rockefeller Center and other internationally known structures, who envisioned the magnificent structure that would become the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple.

Constructed during what  is known as “America’s Metropolitan Era,” the period of 1876 to 1929, the building was erected in 1927-30 through the efforts of some 4,000 area Masonic Lodge and Auxiliary members.

Plans for building the structure began in 1916 when six men met at the Hotel Jermyn to begin gathering their thoughts to build a Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral. The intention was to construct a building that could serve not only Masonic Lodge fraternal and social needs but would also provide theatre and ballroom space for the pubic’s enjoyment as well.

In turn, the Masons set about raising approximately $2.5 million to construct the imposing edifice on N. Washington Avenue. Its massive size - containing some 188,000 square feet of space on six stories above-ground and three stories below - is in itself impressive. But coupled with the irreplaceable artistry of its design and workmanship, the building could not be duplicated today at any price.

In recognition of its significance, the building is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites due to its architecture, art, entertainment and social history, said Matt Flynn, Cultural Center executive director.

When many think of the Cultural Center, often the first images that come to mind go straight to its majestic main theatre. Known as the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Theatre, it is named in honor of the founders of the Weinberg Foundation which gave $2 million to help complete a “Save America’s Treasure” grant to carry out numerous renovations throughout the building. The theatre itself, however, was not renovated, said Mr. Flynn.

Seating capacity is 1,876 and 2,400 standing room only, said Mr. Flynn. 

Gazing at the ornate, hand-stenciled decoration that frames the three-story proscenium stage, many people think the multi-layer frames around the stage are made of carved wood, when actually they are plaster, Mr. Flynn pointed out.

Even less known is the fact that along the front of some of those stage frames are a series of holes that serve to project the sound of the pipe organ. Some of its pipes are located above the stage along catwalks, recessed in the walls or installed around the private seating boxes to either side of the stage, Mr. Flynn said.

And speaking of the box to stage right, Mr. Flynn noted that the ghost of a little girl in 1950s-style dressy clothing is said to have been seen in that box.

Who can say???

Looking at the highly decorated plaster ceiling, its stenciling was redone in 2005 by Bob Ritterbeck and Associates.

And also overhead, no one can miss the main chandelier, which measures about 12 feet long and contains 206 light bulbs. Mr. Flynn explained that when the chandelier is to be cleaned or its bulbs changed, it is hand-cranked down to ground level on the chains that suspend it.

The massive balcony, or mezzanine level, also features the building’s original carpeting, ceilings and chandeliers.

The stage, surrounded by its magnificently designed setting, has been one of northeast Pennsylvania’s premiere venues for entertainment since the Masonic Temple was opened in 1930.

While vaudeville acts never played the Masonic Temple, the list of top names who have performed on its stage during the last eight decades - Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Yule Brenner, Betty Grable, Debbie Reynolds, George Carlin, Britney Speares, In Sync - is far too long to attempt here.

While there are countless area residents who fondly recall enjoying productions at the Masonic Temple in the past, the theatre’s presentations are just as popular today, if not more so.

At present, the Broadway Theatre League and the Northeast Philharmonic are among groups that rent the stage for their productions, while the Cultural Center itself presents a wide variety of performances and programs.

Getting to the stage itself, the white oak performance area measures  an expansive 31 feet wide by 80 feet deep. And if all the world’s a stage, this is Jerry’s world. The domain of Jerry Miller, of the Culutral Center’s stage crew, he is seen in the photo below.

Miller waves from a spot between the back of the stage and the Cultural Center’s grand ballroom. Yes, when the stage backdrop is raised, it opens onto the ballroom, something not always realized when  either watching a performance in the theatre or attending a wedding in the ballroom.

The ability to open the ballroom and theatre into one massive space, or to divide it into two spaces to allow for conducting two events simultaneously, was the feature that led to architect Hood’s winning of the competition to design the structure, Mr. Flynn noted. The main stage area and ballroom are separated by a four-ton asbestos fire curtain, he added.

All original equipment is the stage rigging system, which controls the lifting and dropping of curtains, backdrops and other elements needed for various stage productions. Due to the depth of the stage and capacity for expansion into the ballroom, the Cultural Center accommodates A-1 level shows, the type of production that can run a week or two at a location, Mr. Flynn explained.

The stage lighting as well as other electric work was recently refitted at the Cultural Center at a cost of some $400,000.

The Masonic Temple has been under the management of the Scranton Cultural Center since 1986. In addition to its role as a top entertainment venue in the region, a number of Masonic Lodges use the building’s varius halls for meetings and social functions.

Meeting there on a monthly basis are Union Lodge 291; Peter Williamson Lodge 323; Hyde Park Lodge 339; Schiller Lodge 345; Green Ridge Lodge 597; Lackawanna Royal Arch Chapter 185; Scranton Council 44 of the Royal and Select Master Masons; Melita-Coeur deLion Commandery No. 17, and Crusade Chapter Order of deMolay.