Do you have fond memories of the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud? Do you have photographs or memorabilia from performances and events stored away?

If so, you could be part of a big celebration in the works for the 100-year anniversary of the Paramount Center for the Arts, as the historic venue will turn 100 next January.

A committee is planning the centennial celebration and they’re collecting items, artifacts and memorabilia in partnership with the Stearns History Center to share. The items can be given on loan, or can become part of the permanent deposit in the museum’s collections.

The committee is seeking items such as family photographs at a special show, playbills, scripts, home movies, ticket stubs, costumes and artist autographs. Those donated items may end up on display at the Stearns History Museum in 2021 and 2022.

You can contact the Stearns History Museum if you have an item you might want to share. You can also call 320-380-4145 or email info@stearns-museum.org.

On December 31, 1921 the Paramount, then known as the Sherman Theatre, opened with a party and screening of the D.W. Griffith silent film “Way Down East” accompanied by a live orchestra. Central Minnesotans paid fifty cents to enjoy the grand opening event. Soon Vaudeville acts, operas, wrestling matches, Broadway traveling shows and political speeches filled the historic venue.