Celebrate St. James receives $211,300 grant to launch theater renovation

Local nonprofit Celebrate St. James recently announced it has received a $211,300 grant from the Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation to initiate phase one of the renovation of the historic Calderone Theatre, located at 176 Second St. in St. James.

The grant was awarded last month, following a site visit by members of the Gardiner Foundation committee in May and official notification from the foundation’s executive director, Kathryn M. Curran.

“Celebrate St. James has grown professionally through the hard work of its board and staff,” said Curran. “Their vision for community engagement and historic preservation has elevated this organization to become a resource of art, culture and education.”

The funding will support critical structural work, including the replacement of the theater’s roof—preparing the building for future solar panel installation—and the exposure and stabilization of the original stage. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of July 2025.

“This grant brings us closer to restoring the Calderone Theatre as a vibrant cultural landmark and a symbol of our community’s history and future,” said Natalie Weinstein, founder and board president of Celebrate St. James.

Learn more about Celebrate St. James by visiting www.celebratestjames.org.