Open House At The Princess!

Dec. 9 and 10, 2017 - Noon to 6 PM

The Princess Theatre will have an Open House as part of the Cornstalk Heights Harriman Christmas tour. Sat DEC. 09 and 10, Noon to 6 PM. If you haven’t seen the new renovations in the past few years, come browse and take a tour!

AN INVITATION FROM THE EAST TENNESSEE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE (ETPA)

 Preservation Event Reveals Secrets to Success of

Princess Theatre and Features Roane State Performance, April 12, 2013

In September 1926, the Princess Theatre opened its doors in Downtown Harriman. Eighty-seven years later, the Theatre has been fully restored and is the centerpiece of the Princess Performing Arts, Education, and Conference Center. On Friday, April 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) and Roane State Community College will host an open house, recital, and panel discussion about the restoration project. The FREE event will take place at Princess Theatre Complex at 421 Roane Street in Downtown Harriman.

There will be an open house from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments. At 6:30 p.m., sophomore students from Roane State Community College will perform their spring recital. The recital will feature Rebecca Staton, mezzo-soprano; Mason Van Horn, tenor; Dr. Geol Greenlee, piano; and Slade Trammell, piano. The Princess Theatre is operated by Roane State Community College, so this is a special opportunity to experience these students perform at the Princess.

Immediately following the performance, there will be a panel discussion about the Theatre’s restoration. Mayor Chris Mason, Architect Daniel Scott Cooter, and Theatre Manager Megan Anderson will share stories about the restoration process, the importance of working with a wide range of partners in the community, and the value of finding a viable use for historic buildings. After the panel discussion, “behind the scenes” tours will be given of the Theatre.

The original Princess Theatre was damaged by fire in September 1932 and was later destroyed by fire in January 1939. However, the building that stands today was opened on November 16, 1939 and was solidly built, which has paid off as the modern renovation begins.

Please call 865-523-8008 or email egarlington@knoxheritage.org to RSVP by April 10 for this FREE event.

ETPA is a regional historic preservation membership-based organization that serves Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. For more information and to get involved, please visit www.knoxheritage.org or www.etpaonline.org and find us on Facebook.

QUICK VISIT TO THE OPEN HOUSE TOUR

I didn't spend a lot of time at either Channel 15 or the Princess today, but everyone was either busy preparing for, or conducting actual tours.  So, I just made a couple of photos and got out of the way.

Matt Waters was busy making things shipshape when I arrived.  He really seems to take pride in studio and enjoys showing off the equipment his students utilize during classes.

If you have been keeping up with the student's field trips, their productions and behind the scenes photos on Facebook, or YouTube, you know what a great time they are having, and, they are learning!  You can catch the Backroads Episodes on Channel 15, or by clicking on the YouTube links below:

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 1 - http://youtu.be/XMXd7UG8xA4

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 2 - http://youtu.be/wefNt9q6xTc

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 3 - http://youtu.be/xmaUifIG7iY

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 4 - http://youtu.be/N0qOhCMS_7k

Scenic Backroads, Episode 1, Segment 5 - http://youtu.be/gy3MNyNqfPc

Next door, at the Princess Theatre, there were a couple of notable additions.  The new speakers have been hung from the ceiling on each side of the stage, and another row of lights have also been hung.

On stage was a temporary "blow up" screen, which worked fine, for small audiences like today's tours.  

Of course this screen is not the permanent screen, but it will serve small gatherings until a new screen is put in place.

Visitors were treated to a slideshow of local and restoration photos.  Megan was again proudly showing off her Princess, and she never seems to find it hard to find volunteers.

I, of course, played around with the camera, and made this HDR rendition.  It's not true color, but I like the painted feel of the processed photos.

Down front, Jimbo Duncan answers questions for a tour group, while Mr. Lewis Spivey (local historian) relaxes and watches the slideshow.  

If you still didn't make it to the Princess, rest assured that there will be lots of opportunities coming up in the near future.  Our Princess is in good hands and will be around for us to enjoy for years to come.

THE PRINCESS OPEN HOUSE

So, if you missed the Grand Opening, now you can see the Princess too!  Presenting the "OPEN HOUSE"!

Princess Theatre and Channel 15
Open House

When: Friday April 13th
Time: 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Admission: Free

Visitors are invited to tour the renovated Princess Theatre in downtown Harriman during an open house on Friday, April 13 from 3-6 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Channel 15 television station, located next door to the Princess, will also be open for tours.

“Everyone is invited to stop by and see the new Princess and learn more about Channel 15,” Princess Theatre manager Megan Anderson said. “We would love for everyone to visit and see the exciting things happening in downtown Harriman.”

For more information about the Princess, visit www.princessharriman.org or contact Anderson at princesstheatre@roanestate.edu or (865) 354-3000, ext. 4856.