Arts & Entertainment

Pelham Picture House Makes Rash Discovery in its Walls

While undergoing renovations, the Pelham Picture House makes some welcome and some not so welcome discoveries

Since undergoing extensive renovations, the historic had made a number of welcome An old time screen enveloped in a frame was uncovered. The original ceiling, with its wooden trusses, was also exhumed.

But while layers of wall fabric were recently stripped, workers encountered a rash situation: They hit an enormous poison ivy vine.

“During this renovation we’ve uncovered amazing architectural details that we want to preserve and restore as much as possible,” said Picture House executive director Jennifer Christman in a press release. “But the vine definitely could not stay.”

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To get rid of the pesky plant, the Picture House called on Almstead Tree and Shrub Care Company.

“This is one of the largest, most mature poison ivy vines I’ve ever come across,” said Ken Almstead, of Almstead Tree and Shrub Care Company. “We definitely had our work cut out for us.”

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Almstead, a second-generation Pelhamite, removed the vine and threw in a pruning for the trees and branches hanging over the roof’s theater.

“What the Picture House is doing here is going to be great for the community,” Almstead said. “I’m glad we have had a chance to help out.”

The Picture House will host its ribbon cutting ceremony on March 25 at 11:00 a.m. Patch will be there videotaping this groundbreaking event. Check back for our coverage.


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