Information
Landmark: Scranton Cultural CenterCity: Scranton
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, a historic hub for performances and community events, sits at 420 North Washington Avenue in Scranton, Pennsylvania, its stone façade rising like a landmark you can spot from blocks away.It’s a top spot in the region for arts, live shows, neighborhood gatherings, and learning-where you might hear a violin’s warm notes drifting from the stage.Renowned architect Raymond M. crafted a design whose clean lines and warm stone give the building its distinctive character.Hood, who also worked on landmarks like Chicago’s Tribune Tower and New York’s Rockefeller Center, saw the building finished in 1930.The building combines Neo-Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles, with towering walls, finely carved stone arches, and an exterior of pale Indiana limestone that catches the afternoon light.Gothic arches rise above ornate terra cotta trim, while finely carved motifs-echoing the building’s Masonic heritage-catch the light along its facade.Covering about 188,000 square feet and rising nine stories high, the building has long been a hub for community and cultural events, hosting them for almost a century beneath its broad stone arches.The building first went up as a Masonic lodge and Scottish Rite Cathedral, a grand space where the local fraternity gathered for meetings, solemn rites, and lively dinners under its high, echoing ceiling.Dedicated on January 2, 1930, it quickly became the heart of Scranton’s civic and social scene, hosting lively gatherings under its tall arched windows.As time passed, people saw it could serve more than just Masonic gatherings, so the building shifted into a lively cultural hub where you might hear music spill out onto the street.When the Scranton Cultural Center became a nonprofit, it saved the old building from decline and gave it new life, filling its halls with concerts, classes, and lively community events.The Cultural Center offers a range of spaces for all kinds of events, with the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Memorial Theatre at its heart-a grand auditorium with 1,866 seats where you might catch a Broadway tour, a soaring concert, an engaging lecture, or a special evening performance under warm stage lights.With its crystal-clear acoustics and graceful carved moldings, it’s become one of the most sought‑after places to perform.Grand Ballroom: Among the biggest in the area, it can hold 2,400 people standing shoulder to shoulder or about 1,200 seated at round tables.In the ballroom, crystal chandeliers sparkle above rich wood paneling and ceilings laced with ornate plaster, setting the perfect stage for grand banquets, glittering galas, weddings, or bustling conferences.Shopland Hall is a cozy, 500-seat theatre where you might catch a local play, a small concert, a guest lecture, or even a private gathering under its warm stage lights.Raymond Hood Room: Once a bowling alley with polished wooden lanes, it’s now a flexible space ready for meetings, receptions, or lively social gatherings.Governor Robert P. stepped into the room, his shoes clicking softly against the marble floor.Casey Library is a hub for research and community learning, with shelves of archives and weathered historical records that tell the story of the center and the region.Craftsmen and Snyder/Gazda Halls offer extra rooms for events and meetings, once home to solemn Masonic gatherings but now open for all kinds of occasions-from workshops to lively receptions.At the Scranton Cultural Center, you’ll find everything from Broadway hits to national touring shows-think the soaring music of Les Misérables, the feline grace of Cats, or the electric energy of Jersey Boys-bringing world-class performances right to the heart of the region.Concerts range from the thump of rock and pop to the sweep of classical strings and the warm brass of jazz.Its stage has hosted big names-Alice Cooper growling into the mic, Maroon 5 riding a pop groove, and Dave Matthews strumming under warm lights.The venue brings the crowd to life with stand-up from legends like George Carlin and Jeff Dunham, along with thought‑provoking talks and uplifting stories from inspiring speakers.Youth and Community Theatre: In the SCC Youth Theatre Program, young performers jump into full-scale productions like *Shrek The Musical* or *The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical*, building local talent and bringing the community together under the warm glow of stage lights.The Cultural Center buzzes with life, hosting weddings, corporate meetings, fundraisers, galas, and hands-on workshops, making it a cornerstone for the community’s social and civic events.Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Scranton Cultural Center carefully preserves its grand old halls while keeping them alive with modern events.The organization works hard to preserve the building’s original character-right down to the weathered brick-while offering arts and cultural programs that are open to everyone and bring life to Scranton and its neighboring towns.You can buy event tickets at the Fidelity Bank Box Office inside the Cultural Center, where the scent of fresh coffee drifts from the lobby, or grab them online from official ticket vendors.Box office hours change with the season, but you’ll usually find it open on weekdays and Saturdays; the lights stay off on Sundays.Accessibility: The building’s designed to welcome guests with disabilities, from wide doorways to smooth ramps, making sure every visitor feels included.The Scranton Cultural Center is a cornerstone of art and history in northeastern Pennsylvania, where its stone arches echo with decades of music and voices.Blending soaring architecture, deep Masonic roots, and lively events, it stands as both a cherished landmark and a bustling hub for art and community.
