Dear Friends and Neighbors,
In 1934, Matthiessen Hall, a theater that once stood in the village square of Cornwall-on-Hudson, was demolished after the village board passed a resolution to construct a state-of-the-art theater capable of seating up to 600. On July 3, 1935, the Storm King Theater opened its doors in the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, quickly becoming a cherished cornerstone of our community. For generations, it was more than just a theater it was a place where memories were made, traditions were built, and the magic of film, music, and performance brought us together. But in the 1990s, the neon sign went dark, and the theater sat unoccupied, at risk of being lost forever.
In 1998, my father stepped in to save the building, restoring its exterior and breathing new life into the restaurant space. However, the theater itself remained empty. Ever since acquisition, the vision has been clear: to reopen the Storm King Theater as a space for the community, a place where new traditions can be born, where young people can experience their first movie or concert, where artists can showcase their work, and where people of all ages can gather to be inspired.
On May 21, 2024, NYS Governer Kathy Hochel announced that Storm King Theater would be a recipient of the NY Forward grant at part of the NY Forward initiative. The decision to pursue the NY Forward grant was not one we initially considered. It was at the first Cornwall NY Forward public workshop (9/15/2022) that Rick spoke up, expressing his wish to see the Storm King Theater fully restored as an “art house theater”. That moment, combined with the overwhelming encouragement from respected community members, gave us the confidence to pursue this opportunity… not for personal gain, but to bring the theater back to the people of Cornwall.
Now, we have an opportunity to make that vision a reality. With the support of the NY Forward grant, we plan to restore the theater, not as a private business, but as a community-centered nonprofit. This means:
A Space for Everyone: The theater will offer free public programming, supported by the nonprofit and other community organizations, ensuring that everyone has access to cultural and artistic events.
A Sustainable Model: The theater will remain under private ownership with a public partnership, meaning it will not burden taxpayers while still operating for public benefit. It will also remain on the tax roll.
A Modest Yet Mighty Venue: With a seating capacity of around 100, the theater will provide an intimate setting for events, performances, film screenings, and more.
Community First: While private events will help generate necessary revenue to sustain free programming, our priority will always be to create a space that enriches, connects, and benefits Greater Cornwall.
This vision is not just about restoring a building… it’s about restoring a sense of community. It’s about ensuring that future generations have a place to gather, to dream, and to create.
On March 25th, the village board approved the application to reintroduce Storm King Theater to the public. Thank you for your presence, speaking up, and showing your support which made this dream a reality. If you have questions, feedback, or simply want to learn more, I am always available to chat or even provide a walkthrough of the space. You can reach me via social media or by phone at (718) 288-6849.
My father has been committed to this village since 1998 when he saved this building, and over the past few years, I’ve dedicated myself to community programming through COH Special Events. In addition to my work within the community, I bring a strong professional background that supports my ability to successfully operate the theater. While we may not all know each other personally, I hope my experience and dedication have demonstrated my commitment to this community and my ability to bring this vision to life.
Storm King Theater is ready to meet the next generation where it will become place for new stories to unfold, memories to be made, and a new home for Greater Cornwall to share extraordinary experiences. This next chapter is one that belongs to all of us.
Thank you for your support.
Elizabeth Yannone