The War Memorial begins new chapter with groundbreaking for Veronica Alger Theater
GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Sept. 15, 2026 – Five years after severe flooding rendered The War Memorial’s theater inoperable, construction is set to begin on a reimagined venue designed to once again bring performances, films, lectures, and community gatherings to its campus.
To publicly kick off the project, a groundbreaking ceremony followed by a screening of the 1985 hit Back to the Future will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. on the lakefront lawn of the historic Alger House at The War Memorial.
The project will transform the former Patriot Theater, a longtime community gathering space, into the new Veronica Alger Theater. The groundbreaking marks a major milestone in restoring and reimagining a space that served the community for nearly six decades before the devastating storms of June 2021.
The new theater is anticipated to open in summer 2027.
“This groundbreaking marks an important moment for The War Memorial and for a space that has meant so much to generations of our community,” said Maria Miller, president and CEO of The War Memorial. “We are not simply rebuilding a theater. We are creating a flexible, welcoming cultural space where people can once again gather for performances, films, conversations, and shared experiences.”
A majority of the funding for the theater project has been made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Fred M. Alger and Veronica Alger. Their gift represents a transformative investment in The War Memorial and will help make the new theater a reality for generations to come.
The gift continues the Alger family’s longstanding support of The War Memorial. Previous gifts from the family totaling $22 million helped establish the Fred M. Alger Center, which opened in 2022, and fund restoration projects for the historic house.
While the Alger family’s support has provided an extraordinary foundation for the project, additional philanthropic support is needed to fully realize the vision for the new theater. While 90% to goal, additional fundraising is needed to support renovation of the adjoining lobby space and future theater programming.
Originally built in 1962 as the Fries Auditorium, the 6,000-square-foot theater became a longtime gathering place for the community. Its 450-seat auditorium welcomed lectures, concerts, performances and countless memorable moments. Over the years, the stage hosted notable voices and entertainers including George Romney, Henry Ford II, Bob Seger and Ted Nugent, while also serving as a longtime home of the Grosse Pointe theater group.
The new Veronica Alger Theater will build on that legacy while creating a more flexible venue for performances, films, lectures and community programming. Its reconstruction will restore an important gathering space to The War Memorial campus and expand opportunities for arts and cultural experiences for years to come.
The project brings together Rockford, providing construction services; Quinn Evans, leading the architectural work; and The Roy Company, providing project oversight for the new Veronica Alger Theater.
To celebrate the start of the project with the community, the Sept. 22 groundbreaking ceremony will be followed by a screening of the 1985 hit Back to the Future on the lakefront lawn of the historic Alger House at The War Memorial. The gathering is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
What: Theater groundbreaking ceremony and screening of Back to the Future
Where: The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Register: www.warmemorial.org/events/groundbreaking
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, is an experiential space open to everyone. For over 75 years, this nonprofit organization has served as a patriotic, cultural, and community center, offering a wide range of innovative programs for all ages. Annually, The War Memorial welcomes thousands of guests for community events, educational programming, and private gatherings in its unique and historic setting. At its core, The War Memorial celebrates the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended these ideals with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. As a dynamic and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan, The War Memorial remains committed to inspiring and enriching the community through unparalleled experiences.
CONTACT:
Alex Szwarc, The War Memorial
Patriotic Programming and Communications Administrator
313.881.7514, aszwarc@warmemorial.org