EPISODE · Jun 26, 2025 · 48 MIN
Episode #107: Saving the Spirit with Colin Egan
from Nat's Sidewalk Stories · host Nathalie Kalbach
In this episode, Colin Egan shares the remarkable 30-year journey of saving Jersey City's historic Loew's Jersey Theatre from demolition. Built as one of five Wonder Theatres in 1929, this grand movie palace was slated for demolition in 1987 until Colin and a dedicated group of volunteers stepped in. From chopping ice on the roof to rebuilding the grand pipe organ piece by piece, Colin reveals how persistence and thousands of volunteer hours transformed an abandoned building into a beloved cultural center that is now undergoing major restoration. Discover how preservation isn't just about saving architectural treasures, but about protecting the democratic spirit of spaces built for everyone to enjoy beauty and art. For show notes, photos, and additional articles related to this episode, visit Nat's Sidewalk Stories on Substack https://natkalbach.substack.com/podcast
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## About This Episode Colin Egan shares the remarkable story of saving Jersey City's Loew's Theatre from demolition through a 30+ year grassroots effort that transformed this movie palace from an abandoned building to a vibrant cultural center through volunteer dedication and community persistence. ## Meet Colin Egan Colin Egan is the founding director of Friends of the Loew's, the non-profit organization that has led the preservation, restoration, and operation of the Loew's Jersey Theatre since 1987. Born in Jersey City and raised in Union City, Colin became involved in historic preservation through his grandmother's stories about local history and early experiences advocating for the Hudson County Courthouse and Lincoln Park Fountain.
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Episode #107: Saving the Spirit with Colin Egan
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