Calvin Coolidge was president in 1926 — the age of flappers, jazz and Prohibition. The year 1926 also was when the public was shocked by news of the deaths of escape artist Harry Houdini and silent screen heartthrob Rudolph Valentino, and transfixed by the ongoing battles in Chicago involving Al Capone’s mobsters. But in January of that year, Westerly and Pawcatuck residents likely were more interested in some big news much closer to home: the opening of a brand new theater whose premiere night featured five vaudeville acts and a silent film. 

The United Theatre, like so many movie and vaudeville theaters in so many cities and small towns, for decades was a focal point of Westerly’s downtown entertainment scene. And then, like so many theaters in so many cities and small towns, the United fell victim to the movie multiplex and home entertainment systems, closed in 1986, and became an empty downtown eyesore. 

Unlike the sad demise of movie theaters that ultimately were demolished or continue to sit vacant in many other places, however, the United is well on its way to again becoming a community entertainment focal point. After the Westerly Land Trust bought the building in 2006, an ambitious effort began to renovate the theater that had been closed for 20 years. Since then, the United in 2014 began hosting numerous arts events and this spring ground was broken there for a planned major arts complex that will feature a black box theater, a cinema, art gallery and arts education center. 

This $12 million renovation and expansion project will encompass both the United and the adjacent former Montgomery Ward building. The arts center will provide one of the final pieces in a downtown makeover of which local and regional residents should be very proud. Happily, the groundbreaking also coincides with Westerly’s 350th anniversary celebration, a townwide series of events focused on building community pride. 

Other towns struggling with thorny redevelopment issues might learn some lessons from Westerly’s successes. One key factor for Westerly has been the beneficence of Charles Royce, whose family foundation invested in the United Theatre project, and who serves as vice-chair of the United board. Royce rebuilt the magnificent Ocean House at Watch Hill and has been investing in Westerly for more than a decade. 

Unfortunately, not every town has the ability to lure such a benefactor, but most municipalities do have the capacity to follow Westerly’s lead in another key area. The United project brings together a group of high-energy, public-spirited residents with can-do attitudes. The United board is a who’s who of Westerly’s top boosters with proven records of success. Maureen Fitzgerald, who as executive director of the Ocean Community YMCA has overseen successful renovations of both the downtown Westerly and Mystic Y’s, for example, chairs the United board. 

Too often, local projects are hobbled by obstructionists and killed by sometimes ill-informed naysayers. The United board deserves congratulations and much goodwill for forging a success where others might have admitted defeat. 

Westerly already hosts the renowned Westerly Chorus, Wilcox Park and its sculptures, a library that supports and promotes arts and letters, and a vibrant arts community of painters and other visual artists. The Day wishes the United Theatre and the town a successful future in building on Westerly's reputation as a great community for arts and culture.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.