Paul Herman Era

Paul Herman leases The Strand again, this time to Theodore Nyquist in 1932. One employee, Larry Fenstermacher, becomes a shareholder of The Strand in 1933. On Dec. 24, 1942, during the height of World War 2, Theodore Nyquist treats the unemployed community members of Kutztown to a free movie at The Strand as their Christmas […]

In 1927, the theatre name is officially changed by Furman B. Willis, who begins leasing the building from Paul Herman. Willis is also the owner of the Park Theatre in the Kutztown Auditorium located at 134 East Main Street. Today, Ryly’s Auto Service Center is located in that space. MOVIE TRIVIA: The Strand is born!

The first movies shown at Herman’s Playhouse are silent films. Along with his ownership duties, Paul Herman works as the projectionist. During this time, the building goes through some renovations, including incorporating the home and barn next door into the expanded theatre. MOVIE TRIVIA: During this time, talkies, a.k.a movies with audio and synchronized dialogue,

In 1912, Paul Herman builds a dedicated theatre around the corner from Main Street’s Kinetoscope Arcade. The new building at 32 Whiteoak Street, the current home of the Strand Theatre, is named Herman’s Playhouse. The Playhouse operates as a one-screen cinema until 1916. (Image: Herman’s Playhouse in the early years)

The Strand originates as the Kinetoscope Arcade located at 272 West Main St., currently the site of The Kutztown Tavern. Paul Herman operates the arcade. Herman is a well-known figure in Kutztown. As a 34-year mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, he is also involved with Trinity Lutheran Church and the Kutztown Fire