Two brothers, Jason and Dayton Grandmaison, are on a mission to restore the Gayety Theatre, a historic gem in Van Buren, Maine, bringing new life to a beloved community landmark.
Photo by Kilyan Sockalingum from Unsplash
The Gayety Theatre, which has been part of Van Buren since 1920, holds a rich history. As reported by Bangor Daily News, the theater entertained residents for decades until it closed in 1983. After a series of owners, including their father, the brothers decided to take on the task of restoring it.
Jason began secretly working on the theater in 2019, initially without anyone’s knowledge. Once he revealed his plans, his brother Dayton joined in, motivated by graffiti he saw on the building. Together, they have made significant progress, even forming a nonprofit to help fund the restoration.
The brothers aim to preserve the historic details of the theater, such as the original seating and Art Deco light fixtures. They envision it as a venue for major films, classic movies, and community events. Their goal is to complete the renovation in four years, aligning with broader Main Street improvements planned by the Maine DOT.
While they continue to work on the building in their free time, both brothers hope that reaching their fundraising goals will expedite the process. Despite the challenges, they remain dedicated and optimistic about restoring this piece of Van Buren’s heritage.