 
Assembly Resolution No. 671
 
BY: M. of A. Lupardo
 
        COMMEMORATING  the 100th Anniversary of the Broome
        County Forum Theatre
 
  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor  and  pay
tribute   to   those   cultural  institutions  and  organizations  whose
commitment to promoting the richness  and  diversity  of  the  arts  and
entertainment  world  has  contributed  to  the  strength, vitality, and
cultural enrichment of their communities and  the  great  State  of  New
York; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commemorate  the  100th  Anniversary of the Broome County Forum Theatre;
and
 
  WHEREAS, In 1919, the City of Binghamton was experiencing a boom  in
theater  construction  and  renovation; Herbert Brewster was selected to
design and construct a $150,000, 1,800-seat facility, which was begun in
May of that year; and
 
  WHEREAS, Later, the theater opened its doors to the public  for  the
first  time  as a premier venue for vaudeville acts, concerts, community
events and moving picture shows; and
 
  WHEREAS, During the Great Depression, the theater  closed  in  1931;
however, it was reopened 14 years later as a movie house; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In 1960, the theater was thoroughly renovated and reopened
as the Capri Theatre; in 1975, it was  once  again  renovated  and  this
time, it reopened as the Broome County Forum Theatre (The Forum); and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  2008, the building was listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, and in 2014, bronze stars honoring local celebrities
were refurbished and relocated to the Forum  lobby  where  they  are  on
permanent exhibit; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Today,  The  Forum continues to thrive as a center of arts
and entertainment for  the  Greater  Binghamton  area;  it  is  home  to
Broadway  In  Binghamton,  the  Tri-Cities  Opera,  and  the  Binghamton
Philharmonic; in addition, it houses a Robert Morton Theatre Organ,  and
hosts  a  wide  variety  of  other events including concerts, comedians,
conventions, talent competitions, and recitals; and
 
  WHEREAS, The arts are the building blocks of civilization; they  are
central   to  human  expression;  they  enlighten  us  and  inspire  the
imagination; educational institutions,  individuals,  and  organizations
which  further  such  worthy  purposes  richly merit the recognition and
appreciation of this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New
York; and
 
  WHEREAS, As the Broome County Forum Theatre looks  back  with  great
pride to its beginnings, viewing, with just satisfaction, its successful
evolution,   it  renews  both  its  dedication  to  supporting  artistic
 
excellence, and its commitment to the  community  it  has  served  since
1919,  expressing  its  appreciation  to  all  those  who have helped to
sustain and enhance it over the years; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Broome  County  Forum  Theatre;
and be it further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Broome County Forum Theatre.
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Broome County Forum Theatre

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