Smith Opera House

82 Seneca Street

Geneva, NY 14456

 

For over 100 years, people of all ages have enjoyed performing arts productions at The Smith and have been enriched by their magical power. Built in 1894 by philanthropist William Smith, the theatre has through the years played a variety of roles: opera house, playhouse, vaudeville venue, movie palace, performing arts center, and community cultural center.

Built in 1894 for $39,000 by local philanthropist William Smith, The Smith was designed by well-known architects Joseph Pierce and Henry Bickford. The handsome Richardsonian Romanesque structure is recognized nationally by major preservation organizations including the National Register of Historic Places and the Smithsonian. It is among the oldest operating theatres in the United States. In the early 1930’s Schine’s Amusement Company, Inc. Spent $500,000 gutting and renovating the opera house’s interior with a combination of Art Deco and Baroque motifs. The architect, Victor Rigaumount, also incorporated Victorian and Moorish influences to create grand interior. Currently, fewer than 300 of the nation’s original "movie palaces" remain. Fourteen are in New York State, and only eight are still used for the performing arts. They include Radio City Music Hall, Landmark Theatre in Syracuse and the Smith Opera House In Geneva