A familiar piece of Kosciusko history is set to make a comeback as part of the ongoing restoration of the historic Strand Theatre.
Mayor Tim Kyle said the city is restoring the theater’s original exterior signage as work continues on the downtown landmark.
Many residents are familiar with the marquee that currently hangs outside the building, but Kyle noted that it is not the original sign that once identified the theater.
“If you go back and look at some of your old pictures, the canopy that was outside originally had signs that were individual letters about three feet tall that went down the building,” Kyle said.
Those original letters have been preserved and are now being completely refurbished. The restoration process includes sandblasting, repainting and the installation of new neon lighting.
Once completed, the restored letters will be mounted on a wall near the handicap-accessible entrance connecting the former Star-Herald building to the Strand.
The city is also incorporating additional historic materials into the renovation project. Beams removed during demolition work inside the theater are being repurposed into flooring that will be installed in the building’s main entrance area.
Kyle said the goal is to preserve as much of the original character of the historic structure as possible while creating a modern facility for community use.
Construction on the Strand renovation is expected to continue through late summer or early fall.
Once completed, the historic venue will be the home of the Mississippi Museum of the American Indian and Event Center.
