Lock Haven Cultural Center Idea Takes Step Forward
Record photo – Chris Miller
By Christopher Miller
LOCK HAVEN – The future of a cultural center in Lock Haven has taken one more significant stride toward fruition.
On Saturday morning local dignitaries, participating agencies and community members came together to witness history in the making with the signing of a “letter of intent sales agreement” with the Lock Haven Masonic Lodge #199 building for $1.
A group of interested parties comprised of the Clinton County Arts Council, Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. and the Lock Haven Masonic Lodge were on hand to make the prospective transfer of ownership possible. Project backers have proposed a cultural-business-community-performing arts center in the massive building at the southwest corner of E. Main and Grove streets.
One of the next steps in the process is a feasibility study for which Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. President Bob Rolley said “funding is being pursued through multiple grant opportunities on the city and state levels.”
After the ceremonial signing of the prospective purchase agreement, Arts Council board member Steve Getz spoke of the significance the project will have in bringing in development to the local community and downtown, while Arts Council President Carol Cillo made mention that the project is like a pie; “We currently have a 9″ pie, let’s turn this into a 10″ pie with whipped topping and a garnish.”
Future meetings are being planned for local community input and brainstorming sessions.
The Lock Haven Masonic Lodge #199 was built in 1923 and, according to local historian Lou Bernard, “the interior structure has no load bearing walls throughout; you could gut the interior of the structure entirely without harming the physical building.”
As for the local Masons, according to the holy grail of local history, The History of Centre and Clinton Counties by John Blair Linn, 1883, they first appeared to have organized in this area on November 20, 1845. They were meeting on the third floor of a small hall on E. Water Street across from the Fallon Hotel prior to moving to their current location at 150 E. Main Street.
The cultural center will be a collaboration between the Clinton County Arts Council and Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., seeking input from businesses, organizations and individuals in the community.
