NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1975 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 957

HOUSE BILL 466

 

 

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE MATCHING FUNDS TO ASSIST IN THE RESTORATION OF THALIAN HALL IN WILMINGTON.

 

Whereas, Thalian Hall in Wilmington, completed in 1858, is believed to be the oldest theater in continuous use in the United States; and

Whereas, the Thalian Association, which has occupied the hall since its erection, was organized in the eighteenth century and is one of the oldest dramatic societies in the country; and

Whereas, Thalian Hall, a building with architectural as well as historical and cultural importance, has provided the setting for performances by many noted actors and actresses, including Tyrone Power, Buffalo Bill Cody, Tom Thumb, Lillian Russell and Agnes Morehead; and

Whereas, Thalian Hall was damaged by fire in 1973 and requires extensive restoration for continued use as an historic and cultural building; and

Whereas, the Thalian Hall Commission, Incorporated, has raised two hundred sixteen thousand four hundred sixty-six dollars ($216,466) toward the estimated two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($275,000) required to restore the interior of the structure; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Archives and History of the Department of Cultural Resources for the fiscal year 1976-1977, subject to provisions of G.S. 121-11 and G.S. 143-31.2, the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the purpose of assisting in the restoration of Thalian Hall in Wilmington, subject to the raising of a like amount by the Thalian Hall Commission on or after July 1, 1975.

Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective on July 1, 1975.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 26th day of June, 1975.