Ed Buchinski, owner of The Grand Theater, displays a plaque designating the  theater as an entrant on the Hertiage Conservancy's Register of Historic Places.  Looking on is Christina Landis (left) who helped Buchinski during the application process and Mary McFarland, Senior Preservation Specialist for the Heritage Foundation.

            Last month, Heritage Conservancy's Historical Review Board met and voted to accept the Grand Theater into its Register of Historic Places. The Historical Review Board is a volunteer committee organized by Heritage Conservancy that meets four times a year to review applications for listing on the non-binding Register of Historic Places.

The board considers the architectural integrity and historic significance of each property and recognizes the transformation of buildings over time. 

            Heritage Conservancy's Register of Historic Places currently consists of 700 historic buildings located throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties. Any structure approved is eligible to display a plaque to recognize its historic significance and architectural elements. 

            The Grand Theater has been a beautiful staple in the East Greenville community since its founding in the 1920s. It was designed and built by Souderton architect Jerome S. Landes, who also designed and built The Palace Theatre in Quakertown, and The Broad Theatre in Souderton.

            Over the years, the theater changed owners and names until its doors were ultimately shut in March 2004. Thankfully, a few months later, Grand-Valley Holdings, LP purchased the building and saved it from disrepair and demolition. Their intent was to return the theater's interior to its 1924 grandeur. Work on the building, inside and outside, began immediately after settlement.

            The 11-month restoration was very extensive, and included projects such as gutting the auditorium and lobby, mold removal, HVAC updates, and replacing the auditorium ceiling one tin panel at a time.

            On July 29, 2005, work was complete and the new Grand Theater opened to the public.