Knox Heritage announces grant for Princess Theater

KNOX HERITAGE TO ANNOUNCE SAVE OUR SIGNS GRANT FOR PRINCESS THEATRE COMPLEX IN HARRIMAN

On Tuesday, May 24, at 10:00 a.m., Knox Heritage announced its first grant from the Save Our Signs program.  The $2,500 grant was presented by Kim Trent, Executive Director of Knox Heritage, to Vera Scarborough (board member of Princess Theatre Restoration Committee), Daniel Scott Cooter (architect for the restoration) andFrank Spakman (architect for the restoration), Bill Landry, Bobby Tidwell (Harriman City Corrdinator)and other local representatives. 

The Princess Theatre Complex rehabilitation is well underway and the sign is already being rebuilt.  The project costs will total over two million dollars and the sign will cost about $45,000.  The $2,500 matching grant from Knox Heritage will help towards that cost.   The new sign will look more like the original 1939 Art Deco style marquee that had been modified in the 1950s. 

When completed the Princess Theatre Complex will serve as a multi-purpose community theatre that will be a catalyst for downtown revitalization.  The complex will be managed by Roane State Community College and used jointly by the College and City of Harriman.

Thanks to Reily Foods, the owner of JFG Coffee Company, the Save Our Signs program was created in 2010.  Reily Foods donated proceeds from coffee sales, totaling $15,000, to Knox Heritage to start the grant program that will help restore historic signs across East Tennessee.   Restricted funds are also raised from the sale of original light bulbs removed from the JFG sign at the end of Gay Street.  The sign is currently being restored.  Light bulbs are still available for purchase at www.knoxheritage.org.

Save Our Signs grant applications are reviewed quarterly by a panel of local experts.  The maximum matching grant is $2,500 and must be used to restore a historic sign.  For more information and an application, please visit us here. The deadline for the next round of applications is June 30.

Knox Heritage advocates for the preservation of places and structures with historic or cultural significance. Founded in 1974, Knox Heritage is the non-profit historic preservation organization for Knoxville and Knox County. It is governed by a board of directors with representatives from across our community. Knox Heritage carries out its mission through a variety of programs and encourages community support through education and advocacy.

Check out local media coverage on WBIR of the announcement.

Renderings courtesy of Sparkman and Associates