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TJL @ Vail-Leavitt Theatre September Renovation Update

 

This month has seen a flurry of activity with lots happening at the Vail Leavitt. Electrical upgrades continue bringing things up to code as well as fixing important things which were broken like our stage curtain mechanicals. Carpentry work downstairs is underway as we reimagine our downstairs lobby area and also in our balcony where we are restoring our tiered seating levels.
 
Very happy to report that our Yankee gutters and roof have been replaced and restored and that the building is now no longer leaking! Much more to do on the exterior brick walls to ensure they are waterproof, but that will be starting soon.
Check in regularly for more updates!

TJL @ Vail-Leavitt Theatre August Renovation Update

 

Overgrown trees removed and ready for new plantings at the rear entrance.

According to a May 1982 article in the New York Times, these theater seats came to the Vail Leavitt from the 1920s Freeport theater, which had closed months earlier along with another period movie theater in Hempstead. Mismatched, mostly from the 1970s, and without any historical significance, the seats fit the original vision of the first restoration of the Vail Leavitt, which was to make it a 95 seat movie house.

The next phase of our restoration will be to restore the beautiful original wood floors and seating will be movable, original to the 1881 vision of the theater.

vail leavitt coming soon

Vail-Leavitt

The Jazz Loft is reviving the historic theater in Riverhead, New York

The Jazz Loft is pleased to announce the recent purchase of the historic Vail Leavitt Theatre in Riverhead. Our thanks go out to all the Riverhead community donors, who, along with Suffolk County and New York State funding, will enable TJL to fund the renovations needed. The historic Vail Leavitt Theatre will see a second act! We’re very much looking forward to this exciting expansion project in 2026!
Vail Leavitt signing
Band Vail Leavitt

The latest news

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NEWSDAY

Vail-Leavitt Music Hall sale to bring a jazz infusion to Riverhead

NEWS12 Story

Major restoration set for 144-year-old theater by The Jazz Loft

PRESS RELEASE

The Jazz Loft signs contract to purchase historic Vail-Leavitt

NORTHFORKER

Curtain rises on The Jazz Loft at historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall

RIVERHEAD LOCAL

Riverhead signs contract to sell the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall

TBR NEWSMEDIA

Jazz Loft sign contract to purchase Vail- Leavitt Music Hall