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On Missing the Stage & Screen
(and Museum Galleries)
It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to enjoy going to a movie theater or a Broadway show. A hundred years ago the world was suffering through a global influenza pandemic (in addition to the horrors of WWI), and communities faced similar restrictions on public entertainment. 
In 1918, theaters presented a paradox for the Department of Health. Viewed as a helpful platform and an opportunity to educate the public on the ways to prevent influenza, they were also a forum at increased risk for spreading the disease. The Department of Health decided it was important to keep theaters open to “… prevent the spread of panic and hysteria, and thus to protect the public from a condition of mind which would predispose it to physical ills.” The New York City theaters allowed to remain open were inspected often to ensure there was no over-crowding and no smoking. Children under the age of 12 were prohibited from attending, and theaters were required to open all windows and doors between shows for ventilation.

Our local Arts, Entertainment and Leisure industries have been impacted severely by this latest epidemic. At the Northport Historical Society, the health and safety of our members and patrons is our priority, and we have kept our doors closed to the public as a precaution. Holding events, our chief source of fund-raising, has been virtually impossible. And because you have not been able to come to the museum, we have focused our attentions on bringing the museum to you.

 
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Evolution of the Village Theater
The original theater on Main Street
Northport’s first movie house was built on Main Street in 1912, but showing movies was only one of its many uses. The versatile space was used for vaudeville shows, high school commencements, political rallies and even basketball games.

The early movies were silent films, accompanied by a pianist. In 1930, new projectors were installed, and talkies were shown for the first time. A fire destroyed the original theater in 1932 and a new building was erected in its place. However, builder William McNeil began construction of another theater right next door. This new brick theater had 754 seats, was fireproof, and offered the “latest and most popular pictures on the cinema screen.”
In the 1950s, the stainless-steel marquee was added and the interior remodeled. The building on the old site was used as lunchroom for many years and converted to stores in the 1970s.

1970s: The new theater building to the right of the 1932 rebuild of the original


Spotlight! Now, more than ever, small and local businesses need your support. The Northport Historical Society is grateful for its business members and we'd like to encourage you to help support them during this challenging time.
 


John W. Engeman Theater
 
Long-time Huntington residents, Kevin O’Neill and his wife Patti bought the Northport movie theater on Main Street in June of 2006. They decided to rename the theater in honor of Patti’s brother, who was killed while serving in Iraq just weeks earlier, on May 14, 2006. 
Born on July 8, 1960, John W. Engeman grew up in East Northport and attended St. Anthony of Padua and Holy Family High School where he was involved in the Drama Club working backstage. In 1978, at the age of 18, John entered the Army as an enlisted mechanic. He was selected as a Warrant Officer (Ordinance/Maintenance) in 1988 and promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Four in 2002.  John had always loved the theater, both on-stage and backstage. While stationed in Europe he participated in the Army’s community theater and he won an Army theater award for his role in a one-act play called “The Whole Shebang.” 
For over 28 years John served, deploying in support of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as multiple tours in Korea. At the time of his death John was serving on the Military Transition Team assisting the Iraqi people in establishing their own security forces. John left behind his wife and two children.

The John W. Engeman Theater is Long Island’s only year-round professional theater, casting its actors directly from the Broadway talent pool. Featuring stadium-style seating, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and The Green Room Piano Bar and Lounge, the theater has staged 63 productions of some of Broadway’s finest musicals and plays since its start in 2007. The theater has also opened its doors for numerous fundraisers for various organizations.
 The theater is scheduled to re-open in March of 2021 and we can not wait! To learn more visit their website at: engemantheater.com.

If you’d like to support the Society and become a business member, please visit our website: northporthistorical.org or email membership@northporthistorical.org for more information and to learn about our exciting member benefits.
Looking for the perfect gift? Remind friends and family of where they came from with "Images of America, Northport."  
All book sales support the Northport Historical Society's mission of preserving our shared history.  $24 plus tax.
To order, text 631 796-2316. 

Now is a great time to become a member!
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northporthistorical.org/membership
 
 
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215 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768 
Phone: (631)757-9859
Email: info@northporthistorical.org
Copyright © 2020 Northport Historical Society.
All Rights Reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Northport Historical Society
PO Box 545
Northport, NY 11768






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Northport HIstorical Society · 215 Main Street · PO Box 545 · Northport, NY 11768 · USA

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