Originally built as a movie palace in the French Renaissance style, by Publix Pictures, a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures, the Peekskill Paramount Theatre first opened its doors to the public in June 27, 1930. The inaugural program featured an overture by the Paramount Symphony Orchestra, an appearance by the village mayor, and "A Paramount All-Talking Picture," "The Big Pond," starring Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert.

Publix Theatres was recognized as a leader in the theater building industry, and the Peekskill Paramount was constructed as a state-of-the-art facility for the times. Designed by the noted architectural firm of George and Charles Rapp, who designed great theaters all across the country, the Paramount boasted "a mammoth cooling and air conditioning plant, a beautifully furnished lounge, rest rooms and many other exclusive features." It even had a great Wurlitzer theater organ, which rose from the pit, played for years by Banks Kennedy.

The Paramount prospered for decades despite the Depression and World War II. However, it was the advent of shopping malls and television that brought on its demise as a movie theater. Paramount sold the building in 1958, and a string of subsequent owners failed to make a success of it. Eventually the building was acquired by the City of Peekskill in 1977 due to a tax default. Following improvements to the building, the Paramount opened briefly in 1979 as a performing arts theater operating under the auspices of local arts and community groups.

The responses to those performances were mixed, and following a market survey and various proposals, the City of Peekskill agreed to the establishment of an independent nonprofit corporation, which would lease the building and independently operate it.

Following further renovations and improvements, the Peekskill Paramount Center for the Performing Arts presented its first series of performances in the spring of 1982. Its mission was to bring cultural and educational programming to the northern Westchester and Putnam County area at affordable prices.

Since 1982, what was a grass roots "Save the Paramount" campaign has grown to become a true center for the arts, with live performances, films, gallery showings, and educational programs for schools serving over 55,000 people annually.

Funds for this major renovation have been provided by a grant from the Empire State Development Fund. The extensive work is being completed by Evergreene Painting Studio, whose resume includes the restoration and preservation of over 100 historic theaters and capitol buildings in over 26 states. Once completed, the ceiling will be a unique treasure as the original French Renaissance style is once again revealed.

In recent years the exterior of the theater has been renovated with doors built by a talented craftsman, a sidewalk of stars honoring patrons, and a glittering marquee. Late last year the stage floor was renovated.

A spokesperson for the Paramount anticipated that the stage curtains will soon be replaced and that "green" room space will be expanded. He also noted there are plans to revive the art gallery to exhibit works by local artists.

The first event scheduled will be "Buckwheat Zydeco," - Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr., the leader of four-time Grammy nominee Buckwheat Zydeco, is already well-known as the first zydeco artist signed to a major record label, the first zydeco artist to perform on a national television show, the first zydeco artist to release a children's album, the first zydeco artist to launch his own record label, and the first zydeco artist to issue his own multi-label, career-spanning compilation. The concert will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets will be $27.50.

It will be followed by the Boys Choir of Harlem, sponsored by the AAMW & AKA Sorority, performing an eclectic repertoire of classical music, gospel and spirituals, show tunes, jazz and pop, on Saturday, February 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets will be $30/$25.

The Paramount Center for the Arts, as it is now officially known, is a 1,025 seat venue recognized by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Westchester Arts Council as a "primary" arts organization in this region, the only facility of its kind between White Plains and Poughkeepsie. It is a nonprofit organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) corporation. The Paramount is operated on a day-to-day basis by a staff of four professionals, and supervised by a Board of Trustees of 18 community leaders.

The Paramount building is a designated Westchester County Landmark, declared eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. It is located at 1008 Brown Street, Peekskill. The box office may be reached at (914) 739-2333 and the web site is paramountcenter.org.