Ceiling Damage Limits Seating at Windsor Theatre; Movies To Continue, Live Stage Events Suspended

The Windsor Theatre has restricted seating in its auditorium after sections of the original 113-year-old plaster ceiling fell during the past two weeks.

The first incident occurred on July 18, when a small section of the ceiling fell above the front west seating section. As a precaution, the first three rows in that section were immediately closed to patrons.

Additional damage was discovered after two larger sections of the ceiling fell sometime between the evening of July 26 and the morning of July 29. The falling plaster affected the front center seating section and the stage.  

A subsequent inspection revealed additional cracks in other areas of the ceiling. Because of the potential for more falling plaster, seating has been limited to 116 seats located beneath the balcony until repairs or replacement of the ceiling can be completed.

Movies will continue to be shown on their regular schedule. However, all live performances and other events that require use of the stage have been suspended until further notice.

The auditorium ceiling is original to the building, which was constructed in 1913 as an opera house. It is made of traditional lath-and-plaster construction, a common building method used from the 1700s through the early 1900s.

Lath-and-plaster ceilings were created by nailing thin wooden strips, known as laths, to the framing of the building. Wet plaster was then applied over the laths, squeezing through the gaps to form hardened "keys" behind the wood that locked the plaster in place. The plaster was commonly reinforced with animal hair, such as horse hair, to increase its strength and durability.

Although lath-and-plaster ceilings can last well over a century, their longevity depends on the integrity of the plaster keys. Over time, age, vibration, water infiltration, or structural movement can cause the keys to break away, allowing sections of plaster to sag and eventually fall.

The theatre's ceiling will undergo further inspection to determine the extent of the deterioration and the best course of action. Theatre officials believe it is likely the entire auditorium ceiling will need to be replaced.

The Windsor Theatre has been a community landmark for more than a century. After closing and facing an uncertain future, residents and students organized the nonprofit Windsor Theatre Development Corporation, which purchased the building in December 1998. Following extensive renovations, the theatre reopened on May 28, 1999. In addition to showing first-run movies, the historic theatre hosts live performances, hoedowns, and a variety of community events.

For additional information, contact Windsor Theatre Manager Jim Davies at windsortheatre@msn.com or call or text 641-425-4707.