After a short stint on First Street, Miller Supply found what would become its home for almost 50 years when owner, George Miller purchased the abandoned Colonial Theatre located at 113 South Street at auction. Even though George wasn’t the highest bidder, he was the only one who promised not to tear the theatre down and preserve the structure of what had once been a gem of the vaudeville circuit.
Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield, MA., circa 1918.
Keeping his promise, George established his paint and wallpaper business within the theatre’s architectural framework where it remained for almost 50 years.
Miller Supply on opening day in 1952. Owner, George Miller, third from right.
The photo below, dated 1965, was taken during installation of a false ceiling to preserve the theatre’s frescoed ceiling and balcony area.
View before installation of false ceiling. The theatre’s original box seats can be seen on the right above the paint department.
George’s son, Stephen Miller, took over the business in 1975 which he continues to run to this day!
A remarkable grass-roots effort to restore The Colonial to its original glory eventually attracted the attention of the Save America’s Treasures initiative led by then First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. On July 14, 1998 First Lady Clinton visited Pittsfield to officially launch The Colonial’s restoration to a fully operational theatre.
Soon after, Miller Supply moved a few blocks away to its current home of 205 West Street making way for The Colonial to return to its original glory under the operation of Berkshire Theatre Group.
