Athens Renaissance Project

The Athens Renaissance Project: A matching grant project awarded by Harold H. Bate Foundation

New Bern Civic Theatre, Inc. (NBCT) is asking the community for its financial assistance in renovating the Athens Theater exterior to reflect its original grandeur.

NBCT has detailed plans to rehabilitate the Athens exterior, in compliance with New Bern Historic Preservation Commission guidelines. The refurbishment would include:

• Rebuilding the pediment with new brick and architectural detail

• Repointing all front brick work

• Decorative Classic Dramatic Masks

• Painting in windows to match 1915 photograph of 414 Pollock St.

• Remove painted strip

• Removing green tile and replacing it with brick tile and detail

The estimated cost of a full exterior renovation is $100,000. Recognizing that NBCT operates soundly but cannot self-fund the renovation, the Harold H. Bate Foundation generously awarded NBCT a $40,000 grant toward this goal, on the condition that the grant is matched by other contributions.

NBCT asks for your enthusiasm and financial support to help us meet that condition. With your financial support, what has been merely a dream can become a reality.

The Athens Renaissance Project will (a) beautify Pollock Street, (b) rehabilitate an historical treasure, and (c) help NBCT attract patrons and participants –– and build the downtown economy –– by making its venue attractive and inviting.