The new World Theatre vertical sign being installed on July 16, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The World Theatre in Kearney will be sporting a new vertical sign off of its northeast side after it was installed during the morning of Wednesday, July 16.
The new sign is a recreation of the original sign that use to hang on the building; however, the original was removed sometime in the late 1940s or early 1950s.
The World Theatre noted that thanks to generous community and individual donations, they were able to commission the sign and its installation.
“Once a vaudeville theatre, The World Theatre is housed inside the historic Masonic Temple building. Built in 1927, the structure still houses the Rob Morris chapter of the Masons as well as Job’s Daughters, DeMolay and various other community groups,” according to the World Theatre’s website.
“After being closed for several years, the theatre reopened in June 2012 after three years of renovation work and a communitywide fundraising campaign launched by Kearney native and Hollywood screenwriter Jon Bokenkamp,” according to the website.
“Few pictures of the original building remain, but The World Theatre Foundation drew up its renovation plans using the original blueprints from 1926. Almost every element of the theatre, from floor tiles to plaster, was restored to the historic feel of a 1920s vaudeville theatre,” per the website.
