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About Us

The Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 corporation, is dedicated to reviving the historic Colonial Fox Theatre for the benefit of the southeast Kansas region and future generations. Specifically, the Foundation anticipates that revitalization of the Colonial Fox Theatre will have a transforming impact on Pittsburg’s downtown district and the economic development of surrounding communities.

Founded in December, 2006 by five local general contractors, the Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation (CFTF) has grown into a organization of more than 300 community volunteers and sustaining donors. Foundation members have been driving the rescue and rehabilitation of the historic Colonial Fox Theatre since its inception.

The Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation envisions the theatre to be a unique showcase for human creativity, arts and culture. The Theatre will be a vital asset to a livable and visitable downtown community. We believe that the historic Colonial Fox Theatre is an irreplaceable social, economic, historic and cultural resource for the Southeast Kansas region. As an iconic, creative place of public assembly, it will build community loyalty, reinforce community identity and heritage, stimulate downtown revitalization, promote pride of place and anchor creative economies.

Since our establishment in December, 2006, the Foundation has made consistent progress toward the realization of our vision.

Accomplishments

2007

• Paid Back Taxes
  
• Purchased Second Mortgage
  
• Made Down Payment
  
• Completed Emergency Stabilization
  
• Made Final Payment on Building
  
• Received 501 (c) (3) designation
  
• Listed on the Kansas State Registry of Historic Places
  
• Listed on the 2008 Kansas Preservation Alliance Most Endangered Properties List
  

2008

• Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places
  
• Received Kansas Historic Society Heritage Trust Fund Grant
  
• Recieved Pritchett Family Trust Grant
  
• Contracted Condition Report
  
• Contracted Restoration Plan
  
• Conducted Market Feasibility Study
  

2009

• Installed New Roof
  
• Tuck-Pointed West Exterior Wall
  
• Tuck-Pointed South Exterior Wall

2010

• Conducted Planning Feasibility Study
  
• Received Kansas Historic Society's Heritage Trust Fund Grant
  
• Recieved National Park Service's Save America's Treasures Grant
  

In Progress

2011

• Removed Mold & Asbestos
  
• Repair North Wall
  
• De-water Basements
  
• Repair West Façade
  
• Repair East Façade
  
• Tuck-Point East Exterior Wall
  

Other State and Federal Grant Awards

• Kansas Arts Commission 2009 Arts-In-Communities Project Mini-Grant
  
• National Endowment for the Arts 2009 Arts-In-Communities Project Mini-Grant
  
• Kansas Arts Commission 2009 Infrastructure Grant
  
• Kansas Preservation Alliance 2008 Roll Up Your Sleeves Award

Other Grants

• National Trust for Historic Preservation 2007 Curtains Up Workshop Scholarship
  
• League of Historical American Theatres 2007 Curtains Up Workshop Scholarship
  
• Bess Spiva Timmons Family Foundation
  
• Coleman Family Foundation
  
• Elliott Family Foundation
  
• Miller Family Foundation
  
• Names & Numbers
  
• Pritchett Family Trust
  

Professional Organizations
We are proud members of the following:

• League of Historic American Theatres
  
• Kansas Historical Society
  
• Kansas Preservation Alliance, Inc.
  
• Kansas Histric Theatre Association
• National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Kansas Arts Commission