Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. Email Format
Performing ArtsNew York, United States11-50 Employees
Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. is a New York State nonprofit organization that owns and operates two historic theaters—the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie and the Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston—and maintains a regional orchestra presence. The organization oversees 944-seat Bardavon, noted as the state’s oldest continuously operating theater, and 1500-seat UPAC, built in 1927, with a mission focused on presenting a range of music, dance, theater, and classic film performances while preserving landmark venues. In addition to programming, Bardavon engages in year-round outdoor events, education partnerships with regional schools, and ongoing restoration and preservation efforts of its theaters, aiming to enhance cultural access, urban vitality, and tourism in the Hudson Valley region. The company has fostered collaborations among artists, businesses, and government since the mid-1990s to create community-facing arts experiences that attract residents and visitors alike. Based in the Hudson Valley, Bardavon has grown through acquisitions and integration, notably merging UPAC into its operations in 2007 and acquiring the Hudson Valley Philharmonic in 1999 to broaden its cultural offerings. A recent wave of activity includes new leadership appointments and the launch of film series that expand free access to cinema across Bardavon and UPAC venues.