Scranton Cultural Center
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The Scranton Cultural Center [1]is in the Masonic Temple of Scranton, Pennsylvania[2]. The Cultural Center's mission statement is "to rejuvenate a national architectural structure as a regional center for arts, education and community activities appealing to all ages." In general, the Scranton Cultural Center hosts off broadway performances, high school events such as proms, and a variety of guests ranging from comedians to musicians.
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[edit] History
Raymond M. Hood was the architect responsible for the design of the Masonic Temple, which houses the cultural center. The genre of architecture that the Masonic Temple falls into is known as Neo-Gothic architecture. The temple has a dual nature; it houses the Scottish Rite Cathedral and a masonic lodge. In fact, the design of the building is a tribute to masonry.
The Masonic Temple houses a large auditorium, a library, a "Ladies Parlor", and a ballroom. These parts of the temple were open to many Scranton community events. Visitors of Scranton can visit the Temple and take a tour; the tour helps to educate visitors about the beautiful architecture of the building as well as to provide a purpose of what the building is used for today. The tours of the Temple are offered all year and generally take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours; the Children's tour is usually the shortest, lasting 45 minutes.
[edit] Performances
Many famous groups, bands, and individuals have all performed at the Scranton Cultural Center. Jason Mraz, InSync, the Backstreet Boys, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and Maroon Five are among some of the most famous performers and groups. The list of off broadway plays is just as impressive as the group of performers. Most recently, Rent and Mama Mia, and Les Miserable were performed. There are many great performances all year long. Right before the crucial Democratic Primary for the 2008 elections, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton held a "Solutions for America" Rally. The box office is open Monday - Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
[edit] The Future
As of the mid 1990's, the Masonic Temple, housing the Scranton Cultural Center, underwent the beginning of a multi-million dollar restoration project. One of the most major restoration projects was updating the electrical services and bringing air conditioning to the over 75 year old architectural gem. The ballroom's walls and ceilings were restored, ensuring that the Temple's architecture is available to future generations.
