Funds sought to light Mulkey

Facebook and local gossip circles are abuzz with memories from the Mulkey Theatre as plans have been announced for a fundraiser to light up the theatre’s marquee.

As part of the move to bring the theater back, the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation and the Bring Back the Mulkey Advisory Committee this week began a fundraising campaign in hopes of raising at least $20,000 to light up the marquee.

All of the money raised from this fundraiser will be put towards the marquee with any overages put towards the continued rehabilitation of the Mulkey in hopes of getting it operational.

The fundraising campaign is just the next step in an overall plan in rehabilitating the Mulkey Theatre and reinvigorating downtown Clarendon.

The Clarendon EDC purchased the Mulkey Theatre in 2008 and to date has spent more than $50,000 replacing the roof, preserving the integrity of the structure, and conducting an engineering study of the building.

“This project is in keeping with the goal of the CEDC to beautify downtown,” CEDC President Steve Hall said. “We hope to once again make it a jewel of Kearney Street.”
Decisions about the interior of the building and possible uses for the theatre are still in the future at this point, CEDC Secretary Roger Estlack said.

“We’ll be looking closely at what has been done with the Ritz in Wellington and the Morley in Borger as we move forward,” Estlack said. “This project is going to take time, and we want to do it right.”

Donors can light up a letter in the Mulkey sign for $1,000 each, become a Mulkey partner for $50 to $1,000, or purchase a “light bulb” at participating business on Kearney Street in Clarendon. The light bulbs will be hung up in businesses downtown showing the donor’s support of this project. Mulkey partners will be recognized permanently inside the theatre.

To make a donation or for more information you may call The Clarendon Enterprise at 806-874-2259 or go by 105 S. Kearney Street in Clarendon. Or make your donation directly by sending a check or money order to the Donley County Historical Commission, PO Box 905, Clarendon, TX 79226, and note “Mulkey Theatre” in the memo.

The Mulkey Theatre was built in 1946 on the site of an earlier theatre – The Cozy – which burned in 1945. It was constructed by Lena Mulkey in honor of her deceased husband, who came to Clarendon to operate a photography studio in 1895 and took over the local theatre business in 1912. The Mulkey operated as a motion picture theatre by Mrs. Mulkey and manager Lee Bell and was later purchased by Gary Barnhill. It closed in about 1986.

Due to the condition of the Mulkey and its role in the history of Clarendon, the CEDC has applied to Preservation Texas for a designation for the theatre as one of the Most Endangered Places in Texas, and a decision on that application is expected in February. The CEDC believes saving the Mulkey is critical because of its cultural and architectural importance to the community.

For more information, visit the EDC’s website www.clarendonedc.org; or to share your comments or memories of the theatre, search for the “Mulkey Theatre” page on Facebook.