The Historic Warner Cascade Theatre Museum in New Castle, Pennsylvania, has sustained significant water damage following a serious water main break. The incident occurred at the ceiling level in the rear of the museum, leading to flooding in several key areas, including the window area facing Mill Street, the hallway, the Bijou Theatre, and the entire red carpet lobby. Fortunately, initial assessments indicate no significant damage to the museum’s collection of Warner Bros. memorabilia.
Key Takeaways
- A water main break caused flooding at the Historic Warner Cascade Theatre Museum.
- The damage affected multiple areas of the museum, including the lobby and Bijou Theatre.
- The museum, which pays tribute to the Warner Brothers’ beginnings, is temporarily closed for cleanup.
- Community support is being sought to help with repair costs and ongoing fundraising efforts.
- The Charles Theatre in Charles City, Iowa, is also facing urgent repair needs due to water damage from its roofline and exterior masonry.
Warner Museum Faces Setback
The water main break at the Warner Museum occurred on a Wednesday morning. The flooding impacted the window area facing Mill Street, the hallway, the Bijou Theatre, and the red carpet lobby. Some water damage was also reported in the Cascade Theatre itself. The museum, which was restored to honor the Warner Brothers’ legacy as the site of their first theater opened on February 2, 1907, is now temporarily closed for cleanup.
Curator Bob Vargo described the discovery of the flooding, initially mistaking the sound of rushing water for a movie. Upon investigation, he found water everywhere, stemming from a burst air conditioner pipe in the back hallway. The volunteer-run museum team, with the help of the building manager, managed to shut off the water valve.
Despite the setback, museum officials are viewing the situation through the lens of the Warner family’s own historical challenges. Jerry Kern, the museum’s board president, stated that they are continuing the tradition of confronting and overcoming obstacles. While films scheduled in the coming weeks will proceed in the Cascade Theatre, the museum itself requires extensive cleanup and repairs.
Community Support and Fundraising
The museum is appealing for community support to address the damage. Kern mentioned that the upcoming PAOH Gives campaign, running from Saturday through June 26, is particularly crucial. This campaign raises money for the museum, with donations being matched by PA/OH GIVES. The museum was also in the midst of fundraising for a space to house a large Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes collection, and Kern urged the public to consider donating during this critical time.
Similar Challenges for The Charles Theatre
In a separate but related issue, The Charles Theatre in Charles City, Iowa, is also facing a critical situation due to ongoing water damage. The Charles City Arts Council and the theatre are seeking community assistance to preserve the historic building. Water is entering through the roofline and exterior masonry, weakening structural materials and damaging architectural features. The organizations have secured nearly $70,000 in grant funding but need to raise an additional $10,000 by August 1 to begin the most urgent repairs before the damage becomes more severe and costly.
