Sinclair Celebrates Historic Preservation Month

MAY 19, 2025 |

Photo – Parco/Sinclair Historic Theatre – Courtesy Monte Thayer

May is Historic Preservation Month. The Town of Sinclair is marking the occasion with a series of activities, including a free presentation on the town’s history.

In 1973, the Washington D.C. based National Trust for Historic Preservation declared May as Historic Preservation Month. Last year, the Town of Sinclair marked the occasion by screening a documentary on the Lincoln Highway.

This year, Community Events Director Monte Thayer announced plans to screen two films focused on Sinclair: one highlighting last year’s centennial celebration and the other exploring the town’s history.

The historic presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27^th.

In addition to the two documentaries, former Sinclair Mayor Leif Johansson will speak about restoring the historic Parco Sinclair Theater.

The theater, which was built in 1924, sat unused for roughly 30 years before restoration work began in 2014.

Mayor Johansson explained that a feasibility study revealed the structure itself was sound. However, the interior was in rough shape.

The historic Parco Sinclair Theatre reopened in August of 2021. Former Mayor Johansson said fundraising accounted for much of the seven-year restoration project. The former mayor said progress began once the Sinclair Town Council pledged its financial support.

Edge Engineering, based in Casper, was hired to lead the restoration project with the goal of preserving as much of the original theater as possible. However, some concessions were made to meet modern standards, including replacing the floor to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and swapping out the 80-year-old seats. Former Mayor Johansson said the larger replica chairs reduced the theater’s capacity, but they were needed to accommodate today’s larger frames.

The restoration project cost a little over $2 million.

Bigfoot99 asked if any interesting artifacts were discovered during the renovations. Former Mayor Johansson said workers only found an old playbill and an empty liquor bottle.

The free history presentation will take place on Tuesday, May 27, at the Parco Sinclair Theatre, beginning at 6:00 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30.

Sinclair has several other events scheduled throughout the month as well. Tonight at 7:00 p.m., the historic theater will screen the classic film Grease. Community Events Director Monte Thayer said that despite the theater’s focus on older films, attendance has been consistently strong.

Tickets for Grease will be available at the door. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children 17 and under.

This Thursday, May 22^nd, the theater will host the comedian and magician Brad Montgomery. After seeing Montgomery’s show during a conference at the state capital, Community Events Director Thayer was compelled to bring his blend of comedy and magic to Carbon County. With the financial support of several sponsors, Thayer was able to make it happen.

The Brad Montgomery Comedy and Magic Night begins at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 22^nd. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

The following day, Friday, May 23^rd, the Town of Sinclair is hosting a free youth baseball clinic featuring Rawlins Little League Head Coach Brandon Snyder.

Wrapping up the month’s events, local band Still House Blues will perform at the historic Parco Sinclair Theatre on Saturday, May 31^st. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance or $12 at the door.

To purchase tickets for any of the events happening at the historic Parco Sinclair Theatre, call Monte Thayer at 321-8694, or visit parcosinclairtheatre.com/events.