Fulton Theatre Opens Its Doors to the Community for 160th Anniversary, 10/6

Fulton Theatre will celebrate its 160th Anniversary with a free open house on Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Activities include tours through the historic landmark building--featuring the rare opportunity to go backstage, interactive displays on the creation of theatre productions at the Fulton, ghost stories, opportunities to win tickets to Fulton Theatre and Lancaster Symphony Orchestra performances, and an opportunity to operate a letterpress and make your own bookmark inspired by the new Poetry Paths installations in the Fulton's former box office windows.

Special limited edition posters inspired by these installations will also be available for sale, with proceeds benefiting the artistic programs of the Fulton Theatre. The Poetry Paths installations, bookmarks, and posters have been created by the design studio Go Welsh. Staff from Go Welsh will be present to answer questions about the creation of the Poetry Paths installations and to assist in the operation of the letter presses. Fulton Theatre staff members and Members of The Board of Trustees will be present to guide people through the theatre.

Originally named Fulton Hall, the Theatre was first opened in October 1852. It was named a National Historic Landmark by the US Department of the Interior in 1969 and meticulously restored to its Victorian splendor in 1995. It is only one of three National Historic Landmark Theatres that continues to produce live, regional theatre (the other two being the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and Ford's Theatre in Washington DC). More than 130,000 people annually attend performances of the Fulton Theatre and the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra or participate in the many educational programs that emanate from this historic site.