The Terrace Legacy Project
Restoring the Tower Letters
On May 21, 1951, the Terrace Theatre tower lights were lit for the Grand Opening of the theater, shining a beacon across Robbinsdale. For nearly 50 years, those letters drew generations of Twin Cities filmgoers towards a cinematic experience unlike any other. When the theater closed in 1999, the lights were shut off for the last time.
​
After the Terrace was demolished in 2016, The Terrace Legacy Project began the long task of restoring these letters. Each letter would go through multiple stages during this restoration including a physical restoration to repair the damage the removal caused, a rewiring of nearly 70 year old electrical wires, and finally replacing nearly 700 individual lights with energy efficient bulbs.
​
When the Terrace Legacy Project historic exhibit had its four week run in 2019, it opened with two completely restored letters. Thanks to funds raised during the exhibit, two more letters were funded for the stage one physical restoration. In 2020, the decision was made to halt fundraising efforts in response to the worldwide pandemic that was rapidly spreading. We are now restarting the restoration fundraising project.
​
As of October 17th, there are 75 days left in 2023. The cost to send one letter through the stage one physical restoration process is $750.00. Our goal is to receive one $10.00 donation each day remaining in the year. If we reach that goal, we will be able to send the next letter in for restoration by the end of the year. If we are able to average two donations per day, it would mean two letters. If we averaged just three people donating $10.00 each day, we would be able to complete the first stage of restoration by the end of the year!
​
Once the first stage is complete, we will begin moving forward with the remaining electrical work. Once all of the letters have been completely restored, it is our intention of have a new Terrace Legacy Project exhibit with an unveiling of the letters. Following that, we will work on finding a permanent public location for the letters to be displayed.
To make a donation through PayPal, simply click on the Donate button at the top or bottom of this page. All donations are processed through the Robbinsdale Historical Society under "Save the Terrace".
Thank you for your continued support of the Terrace. It is only through your support that we are able to continue with this journey.
David Leonhardt
Founder, Terrace Legacy Project.