ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202
COLLECTION: OGL #1411
DATES: 1998
SIZE: 1 folder
ACQUISITION: The Empire Arts Center Records were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Sandy Slater, Head, Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, on June 27, 2000 (Acc.#2000-2450).
ACCESS: Available for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.
The New Grand movie theater opened on November 10, 1919, and was located at 415 DeMers Avenue, Grand Forks. In the 1930s it became part of the Paramount-Publix chain, and rechristened The Paramount. In 1954, the theater was remodeled and renamed the Empire. According to Cliff Knoll, then general manager of the Paramount, the name Empire was taken from the development of a new empire of oil, land development, and industry. The Empire closed due to poor attendance and was opened as a 99 cent movie theater on July 17, 1987. In 1994, it was scheduled to become a first run movie house again, but in April this plan was abandoned and the theater was closed. Later that year renovations were undertaken again to bring the Empire back to life. These renovations encountered some setbacks due to the Flood of 1997. The project continued nonetheless, and The Empire Arts Center was reopened on March 27, 1998.
The Empire Arts Center Records consists of one promotional program guide for upcoming events, workshops and exhibits. Also included are two invitations to the opening night, one program with acknowledgments of those involved in the reopening, and two programs for opening weekend, March 27- 28, 1998.
Box 1
Folder
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