Elma Theater

113 N. 4th Street,
Elma, WA 98541

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Showing 1 - 25 of 39 comments

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on March 28, 2019 at 5:47 am

Ken, Thank you for posting this. I had not seen it yet.

KenLayton
KenLayton on March 27, 2019 at 9:53 pm

Bad news:

https://www.thedailyworld.com/news/with-roof-collapsed-its-likely-curtains-for-old-elma-theater/

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on February 23, 2019 at 9:55 am

Bad, bad news for the Elma Theater. Early in the morning of Feb 12th, the roof of the thester collapsed under the weight of snow. One wall was seriously damages and is a searious hazard to the immediatelt neighbors.

This is my third attempt to post this so I’m going to cut it short and be very blunt. The city is in trak to demolish the theater and I, as owner, get to pick up the tab. There is inly a sliver of hope left that I can convince the city not to demolish this piece of history. That sliver is $500,000 in an escrow account and plans drawn up by a structural engineer and an architect that prove that I am on track to restore the theater.

This is more than devastating to me. I don’t know how many people in this small community even know that the theater is about to be demolished.

If any of you know a philanthropisr that would love to help save this theater please share my fundraising page:

gofundme.com/urgent-the-walls-are-caving-in

There are a few photos and a lovely narrative about the theater written by a dear friend.

Any donations offered between now and the certification of my organization as 501©3 certified, will be tax deductible. I applied 6 weeks ago and expect to receive the certificat within 4 weeks.

Thank you for your time reading and sharing this post.

Edna Porter Owner, President Elma Performing Arts Center (Formerly Elma Theater) (The Historic Elma Theater Restoration Project) PO Box 1422, Elma, WA. 98541 (360) 910-9933

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on February 23, 2019 at 9:34 am

Hi Folks, I just wrote pages here and accidentally deleted it when I tried to post it. 😢

Bad, bad news. In Feb 12th, the roof of the Elma Theater collapsed under the weight if heavy snow. A 4’x30’ section of one wall broke and is precariously hanging toward the auditorium. Beneath that broken wall is a gas access pipe in the alley just inches from the wall.

The city is underdtandinly comcerned about the safety of the public.

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on February 23, 2019 at 9:34 am

Hi Folks, I just wrote pages here and accidentally deleted it when I tried to post it. 😢

Bad, bad news. In Feb 12th, the roof of the Elma Theater collapsed under the weight if heavy snow. A 4’x30’ section of one wall broke and is precariously hanging toward the auditorium. Beneath that broken wall is a gas access pipe in the alley just inches from the wall.

The city is underdtandinly comcerned about the safety of the public.

KenLayton
KenLayton on February 17, 2019 at 11:01 pm

I heard the theater roof has collapsed under the weight of heavy snow on February 15, 2019.

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on July 4, 2017 at 1:20 pm

Ken Layton, how are you connected to Elma? Did you grow up here? Do you live here now?

KenLayton
KenLayton on July 4, 2017 at 7:15 am

The right hand storefront (as looking at the front of building) was a barbershop for many years. The left hand storefront was I believe a second hand or antique store.

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on July 3, 2017 at 9:37 pm

Yes, the hole in the roof is above the stage. I will be meeting with the grandsughter of the Grahams who were the first owners. I am hoping to learn details about the history of the theater. I have only lived in Elma a year and a half.

The theater building has two storefront shops. I am hoping to use one as a museum of the theater and the City of Elma. I would like to gather as much history about the theater as I can. I would like to reinstitute favorite traditions that relate to the theater.

I do not know what happened to the letters. They may be inside. I have only been in the theater once. I need to get respirators and hazmat suits before entering again. Also, I don’t know if asbestos was used in construction. My first concern is the health and safety of anyone entering the building. As of yet, the building is still deemed unsafe and no one but the owner can enter until that status is lifted.

KenLayton
KenLayton on July 3, 2017 at 7:43 pm

Let me guess, the hole in the roof is right over the stage and has been leaking on all the backdrops and on the stage floor?

Kingsley Hall had been working on updating all the electrical wiring in the building and had some sort of wood pellet heater installed for heating the auditorium. By chance do you know what happened to the E-L-M-A letters on the sign? I know Kingsley also had a few security cameras setup to keep an eye on the rear doors of the building.

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on July 3, 2017 at 4:19 pm

Yes! I purchased the Elma Theater! I now have the deed and the keys, so it is officially mine, for better or worse. And it can’t get much worse. There has been a hole in the roof for several years causing extensive water, mold and rust damage. But that did not deter me. I could see through all of that. Its former grandeur is still evident. And it will return to that grandeur. It will certainly take blood, sweat and tears…and a lot of money to bring it to fruition.

I am looking for people who know how to write grant purposals. There is no money yet. So at this point all help will have to be volunteered. My first expense will be for a structural engineer-to see if the theater can actually be restored. The next expense will be for mold remediation. So, besides money, my first big need is for someone with grant writing experience.

If you have rose-colored glasses and can see what I see, and want to get in olved, please send your contact information to:

KenLayton
KenLayton on July 1, 2017 at 10:17 pm

Any more updates? Did you purchase the theater?

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on June 8, 2017 at 8:35 pm

Announcement: I have just submitted (along with a Cashier’s check) my intent to purchase the Elma Theater in Elma, WA. There is a lot of work to be done. First, clearing huge amounts of trash from the building. Then, gutting the theater due to water and mold damage from a hole in the roof that has subjected the interior to years of being exposed to the elements.

Besides a large amount of financial investment, many skills and hours upon hours of labor will be required to restore the theater to its original grandure.

VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!

If you are interested in getting involved with this project, please send your contact information and skills you would like to apply to this project to: .

A meeting of interested investors and volunteers will be scheduled sometime in August.

Edna Porter

KenLayton
KenLayton on May 29, 2017 at 9:43 pm

Still closed and boarded up. No signs of any activity.

KenLayton
KenLayton on April 26, 2017 at 7:40 pm

I understand the bank has taken back the theater.

Sludgeycore
Sludgeycore on March 6, 2017 at 2:02 pm

I’d also love to see this theater restored! We just moved to Elma and are involved in the theater scene. If a GoFundMe was made, we would be happy to contribute.

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on January 20, 2016 at 1:50 am

Thanks. Found the owner’s name using GH Assessor’s office. They live in Elma.

KenLayton
KenLayton on December 6, 2015 at 4:09 pm

Perhaps this will help you:

http://www.coldwellbankerbain.com/Homes/WA/Elma/133-4th-St-98541/347037

I understand the husband and wife who bought it live in Montesano. That is the next town to the west of Elma.

Perhaps the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office can help with the names of the theater’s owners.

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on December 6, 2015 at 2:47 am

By the way, who owns the Elma theater?

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on December 6, 2015 at 2:44 am

I am now living in Elma. Does anyone know who I can contact to learn more about the Elma Theater and what it would take to restore it?

KenLayton
KenLayton on November 19, 2015 at 9:14 pm

Still closed and boarded up.

KenLayton
KenLayton on May 31, 2015 at 9:37 am

Google is now listing this theater as permanently closed. :(

KenLayton
KenLayton on March 25, 2015 at 10:04 am

Nobody has heard anything about it. Still closed and boarded up. Even the E-L-M-A letters are gone from the sign.

Silkpainter
Silkpainter on March 24, 2015 at 4:42 pm

Are there any plans to restore and reopen the theater? I will be moving to Elma in the future and would love to work on the restoration. What is needed to proceed? If money is the main thing that is lacking, has anyone considered using GoFundMe? Even though the residents of Elma may not be able to finance the restoration, that doesn’t matter because GoFundMe draws from the internet. Who knows? There just may be enough interest to get the job done!

KenLayton
KenLayton on October 2, 2014 at 8:12 pm

Was the theater still boarded up?