GENEVA, NY – On Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 1:00 PM, the Smith Opera House hosted a visit from Senator Pam Helming (R-54) and Assembly Member Jeff Gallahan (R-131), who celebrated the venue’s 130th anniversary and announced major state funding aimed at revitalizing Upstate New York’s downtowns. The officials presented proclamations honoring the Smith Opera House’s 130-year legacy before sharing details about the $5 million in state funding for the Alive Downtowns initiative. As part of this transformative investment, the Smith Opera House has been awarded $103,000 to aid in its preservation and continued contributions to the cultural landscape.
“For over 130 years, the Smith Opera House has served as an artistic, cultural and economic pillar of the Finger Lakes region,” said Senator Helming. “The Smith also holds a special place in our State and Nation’s history. William Smith donated the use of the opera house for suffrage conferences. In November 1897, the Smith was a host location for the 29th Annual New York State Woman Suffrage Association Convention, which included featured speakers Susan B. Anthony and Reverend Doctor Anna Howard Shaw. Today, the Smith continues to bring in people and revenue that contribute to the vitality of downtown Geneva and Upstate New York. I am pleased the legislation Assemblyman Gallahan and I carried has been signed into law and that the Smith has received additional state resources to allow for the continued growth and investment in our community and our state.”
Alive Downtowns aims to boost economic development, promote local businesses, and foster cultural growth across Upstate New York. The $103,000 awarded to the Smith Opera House will support the preservation of this iconic venue, ensuring its continued role as a vibrant cultural hub in Geneva and the Finger Lakes region.
“…Since its opening in 1894, the Smith has welcomed countless musicians, performers, and educators; and has hosted numerous film screenings. I’m proud to represent the City of Geneva in the New York State Assembly and as a member of the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development, I am committed to supporting institutions that promote both artistic expression and historic preservation,” said Assemblyman Gallahan.
The Smith Opera House, a cornerstone of cultural life in the Finger Lakes, looks forward to using the newly secured funding to continue its mission of fostering arts and culture in the region. As part of the Alive Downtowns initiative, this grant will help preserve the theater’s historic charm while ensuring it remains a space for community engagement and artistic excellence for years to come.
