Theater Curtains Restored

It's hard to imagine now, but at one time Town Hall was a center for plays and silent movies. In the entry way downstairs, hidden from plain view, is the old ticket booth where movie and theater goers would purchase their entrance to an evening's entertainment.

Also hidden from view for many years were two remaining theater curtains used from the 1920s to the 1940s.
Our curtains are part of a larger collection held by towns throughout Vermont. Identified as a national treasure, the Vermont Painted theater Curtains Project, has secured funding to restore or stabilize the remaining curtains.

Putney's turn for restoration has come this week. The public is welcomed to help or just stop by and watch as Chris Hadsel, Michelle Pagan, Peter Isles, and the many volunteers assembled work on the curtains. Mal Herbet is shown in the photo below. Behind her are painted "ears," otherwise known as side panels.

Once stabilization has been achieved, the curtains will be rolled up again and stored until Town Hall becomes restored enough to safely place them on display.