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Fulton Theater
Photographer: Christy White, The State Museum of Pennsylvania
DATE: 2003
PLACE: The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Third and North Sts., Harrisburg, PA
Why this sign?
The FULTON THEATER operated in downtown Pittsburgh from 1935 through 1980 as a combination movie theater and live performance venue. In 1955, "in line with Pittsburgh's general modernization trend," according to the local papers, the Fulton replaced its original neon sign with this stainless steel marquee. It is powered by five transformers and a "chaser" unit that animates the incandescent bulbs.
The sign managed to survive several changes in ownership after 1980, but in the late 1990s it was permanently removed as part of renovations to the future Byham Theater. In 1999, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust donated the sign to The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, where it was restored and placed on display.
Posted by Mark at March 19, 2004 07:59 PM