Our History

 The City of Gloversville has a long and colorful history, and at its heart was Memorial Hall which housed the Kasson Opera House. Built in 1881, the red bricked facade stands along North Main Street today as a symbol of the community’s deep affinity for the past and plans for the future.

The Kasson Opera House, was the vision of culture and entertainment created by Alexander James “Hick” Kasson.  Kasson’s love for Gloversville included municipal projects, the founding of a fire brigade, and various public bands throughout the city.  On the passing of A.J. Kasson, three-fourths of his property to his wife Mary. The remaining quarter, that included the Kasson Opera House was left jointly to the Gloversville Library and Mary Kasson. 

The Kasson Opera House was central to community life in Gloversville during the 19th and 20th centuries, providing not only entertainment but also space for public meetings such as the 1896 visit by Teddy Roosevelt when he was still the New York City Police Commissioner. The first floor was dedicated to commercial space with the second floor opening up to a grand theater that held up to 1,400 people. 

The Kasson Opera House was one of the first great performance halls in the Adirondacks. Before the introduction of movies, the theater hosted entertainment that ranged from dog and monkey shows to the staging of Shakespeare. Today, elements of its grand past can be seen in hidden corners throughout the building. 

In 1925, Memorial Hall was purchased by J. Meyer and Louis Schine, entrepreneurs who built a movie theater empire. The Schines converted the opera house into office space, removing the seats and adding a third floor, but the delicate frieze work remained in their private screening room. The Schine’s additional purchase of the neighboring Glove Theatre created a vibrant headquarters for their business and continued the history of entertainment on Gloversville’s North Main Street.

As the decades continued, the building - much like the city itself - saw a period of economic disinvestment. In 2011, a group of dedicated community members came together to invest in a positive future for the City of Gloversville through the formation of Schine Memorial Hall, LLC.  The LLC raised enough funds to purchase Memorial Hall and began a renovation project that continues in one form or another today.

Schine Memorial Hall is once again at the heart of Gloversville’s economic and public life. The first and second floors include a bustling cooperative market, commercial offices,  artisans, non-profits and other businesses. (See full tenant list here)