THEATRES

The Burritt Opera House was built in 1895 at 8881 South Seneca Street, the site of the old Mansion House Hotel. The theatre was operated by

James Palmet, a Burritt son-in-law. It featured innumerable road shows, frequently it is said, of much better quality than was common in smaller villages. The theatre had a seating capacity of 600 and was 50 feet wide by 200 feet deep.

The Burritt Opera House is of particular interest to Weedsporters as the location of many home talent productions. All manner of entertainment took place in the Opera House. School shows and musicals, and graduation exercises used the theatre since the gymnasium and auditorium of the Central School had not yet come into being. At least as famous was the series of shows produced by George W. Churchill and Edward V. Blakeman, known as the "Masonic Minstrels." The minstrels were presented almost annually from 1920 well into the 1930's.

A 1901 production of which quite complete records exists was "A Grand Production of the Beautiful Comic Opera, The Merry Milkmaids." Prof. A. D. Lane directed the show for the benefit of Weedsport Lodge No. 385 F&AM. The grandparents of many Weedsporters appeared in the large cast. Conspicuous in the pictures and on the playbills of the home-talent shows was Will. G. Adams, talented musician and manufacturer of the Oriole Phonoqraph.

Mr. Palmer brought movies to Weedsport interspersing them with live performances. Earl Zimmer of Syracuse took over the Burritt Theatre in December 1929. He introduced sound pictures within the next two years. The theatre was a popular place and drew a large attendance from Weedsport and the entire surrounding area. On May 2, 1935 the Burritt Opera House burned in the most spectacular fire since the qreat fire of 1871.