Landmark Society approves grant for Pratt Opera House
Photo by Tom Rivers – A $2,000 grant will help pay for pre-construction engineering documents and drawings for the Pratt Opera House, located in the upper floor of the Main Street building at right.
Press release
Landmark Society of WNY
ALBION – A grant from The Landmark Society of Western New York will help to advance the revitalization of the Pratt Building, historic home to the former Pratt Opera House on Main Street in Albion. The $2,000 grant will assist in funding pre-construction engineering documents/drawings on the building.
“This planning grant will enable us to further the restoration of the 1882 Pratt Opera Theater, once the largest stage between Rochester and Buffalo,” said Judy Koehler who owns the building with her husband Michael Bonafede. “It is an important part of our community’s unique architectural and cultural heritage and an important part of improving the quality of life in our community. Partnerships with organizations such as the Landmark Society make it possible to preserve our past to benefit our community’s future. We are very grateful.”
Preservation Grant Fund awards are earmarked for preliminary design and planning studies to help make positive improvements to at-risk buildings.
“Grants are for projects that epitomize the mission of The Landmark Society to sustain and enhance the cultural and economic vitality of Western New York by bringing new life to historic buildings and resources and ensuring they are present and contributing for generations to come,” said Wayne Goodman, executive director of The Landmark Society.
Initial funding for the Preservation Grant Fund was made possible by a generous bequest from Elizabeth “Libby” Stewart. She was a longtime Landmark Society staff member who was dedicated to the revitalization of neighborhoods and historic structures. Generous donations to The Landmark Society’s 75th Anniversary fund-raising campaign provide ongoing funding.
Other grants awarded by The Landmark Society of Western New York include:
A $1,000 grantto Providence Housing Development Corporation to assist in funding conceptual architectural drawings for the rehabilitation of the Pulaski Library at 1151 Hudson Avenue in Rochester.
A $2,000 grant to assist in funding a Condition Report on the Church of God and Saints of Christ at 19 Harrison St. in Rochester.
A $2,000 grant to assist in funding a Condition Report on the roof and tower at the Genesee Baptist Church, 149 Brooks Avenue in Rochester.
