Event will celebrate theater’s listing on National Register of Historic Places
TIPTON, Iowa—The governor will help celebrate the Hardacre Theater’s 100th birthday in Tipton.
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will speak in front of the theater at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23, and unveil a plaque recognizing the theater’s status on the National Register of Historic Places. Branstad will be joined at the event by other local and state leaders, including Iowa Sen. Bob Dvorsky, Iowa Rep. Bobby Kaufmann and Tipton Mayor Bryan Carney. The public is welcome to attend.
The unveiling will precede the Hardacre Century Celebration later that day at the Matthews Building on the Cedar County Fairgrounds.
“We’re honored that the governor will be on hand to celebrate the theater’s centennial,” said Greg Brown, president of the Hardacre Theater Preservation Association. “The Hardacre is one of the rare small-town Iowa movie houses to survive the times. This is an important occasion culturally and economically for Tipton.”
The theater’s inclusion on the National Register was announced in February. The designation was awarded by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and the federal National Parks Service. The register is the federal government’s official list of historic properties worthy of preservation.
The theater originally opened April 12, 1916.
The Hardacre Century Celebration, which starts at 7 p.m. April 23, will feature the nationally known “Howl at the Moon” dueling pianos act, hors d’oeuvres and bar service from the Tipton Country Club, and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the theater’s renovation. Purchase tickets online at thehardacre.org or at Family Foods in Tipton. Though reserved “deluxe seating” tickets have sold out, $30 “standard seating” tickets are still available. Attendees can also purchase tickets at the event for $50 each.
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