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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Monday, April 19, 2021

The old Boston and Maine Railroad Depot aka Rialto Theatre on Central Street, Lowell, MA

Boston and Maine Railroad Depot
240 Central Street
Lowell, MA

This beautiful 1876 building had many lives after it was used as the train depot. Many older residents remember when the old Rialto Theater showed movies in the building until 1960. I remember the bowling alley that followed, and that is where I learned to bowl. For many years, the building was closed, but several years ago a complete renovation was done and it is now the Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center. It is used mainly by the Middlesex Community College students.

As with several other major developments in Lowell, I took photos showing before, during, and after photos. (See those at the end of this post.) On May 11, 2019, I saw the insides during the annual Doors Open Lowell event.





The 190 seat auditorium was a perfect place to watch a short video of the history and an introduction by then-President James C. Mabry. The blue lights overhead is very beautiful.
I wish the lights were off, but then you wouldn't be able to see your way around.
  
Across the street view.

Husband Bill reading something.

A dance room and another auditorium.

Four photos from the windows.

(Looking down Middlesex St., at the very end is the large seven-story Justice Center that now houses five courts and 17 courtrooms.)


Back view and parking lot (before and after).
 
NOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
June 5, 2015

Shortly after the above photos were taken (through the front windows), a barrier was placed around the old depot.

















Article about the renovation that appeared in the Lowell Sun newspaper.
http://www.lowellsun.com/br