Roger Matson (left), Main Street Lincoln president, presented Lincoln Theater owner David Lanterman with a resolution proclaiming May as National Preservation Month, and a statement of recognition from Main Street, acknowledging Lanterman's willingness and foresight to purchase the building and maintain a piece of the town's history.

Lincoln Theater recognized for its historic importance [May 13, 2011]  Roger Matson, Main Street Lincoln president, made two presentations to Lincoln Theater owner David Lanterman on Thursday evening, recognizing Lincoln Theater's history and the new owner's efforts to preserve and restore the building. Matson presented an official resolution for May as National Preservation Month, acknowledging the preservation projects at the Lincoln Theater.

 For 2011, National Preservation Month's theme is "Celebrating America's Treasures," encouraging communities to focus on places that contribute to the American experience. The Lincoln Theater, being one of only five remaining theaters on Route 66, is a unique location.

The second document Matson presented to Lanterman included a statement from Main Street, recognizing the importance of the Lincoln Theater and the part it has played in the history of the city of Lincoln. An attached article states that construction on the Lincoln Theater building began on Abraham Lincoln's birthday, Feb. 12, 1922. The doors opened on Feb. 13, 1923. For 88 years the residents of Lincoln and the surrounding area have watched news, cartoons, special features and full-length movies on, first, the big screen, and now four screens within the walls of the Lincoln Theater.

New owner David Lanterman said: "It is nice to hear people say ‘our theater' and know they think of it as theirs. It would have closed eventually if we hadn't bought it. Now it will remain open and we can work on fixing it up."

He pointed out the removal (on Thursday) of the orange siding that had covered the outside since the 1960s.

Lanterman added that more people were coming to the shows than before the purchase. He credits the increase in patrons to the community's feeling of comfort with knowing the theater will be here and really does, by tradition, belong to the town and its people.

[By MARLA BLAIR]