THE VERONICA ALGER THEATER
A New Stage. A Lasting Legacy.
The transformation of The War Memorial’s theater is underway, creating a flexible new home for film, live performance, lectures, community gatherings and more.
OPENING FALL 2027
A Theater Reimagined
After severe flooding in June 2021 rendered the former Patriot Theater inoperable, The War Memorial began imagining what this important community space could become next.
Now, that vision is becoming reality.
The new Veronica Alger Theater will transform the former auditorium into a flexible, state-of-the-art venue designed to serve a wide range of audiences and experiences. Construction is underway, with completion anticipated in summer 2027 and programming expected to begin that fall.
WHAT’S AHEAD
More Than a Theater
The Veronica Alger Theater will create new opportunities to experience arts, culture, ideas and community together.
Designed with flexibility at its core, the renewed space will allow The War Memorial to welcome a wide range of experiences and audiences throughout the year.
Film
Classic films, contemporary cinema, documentaries, and community screenings.
Live Performance
Music, theater, and other performing arts.
Ideas & Conversation
Lectures, speakers, panels and conversations that invite curiosity and connection.
Community
Celebrations, partnerships and programs that bring people together.
THE VISION
A first look at the reimagined Veronica Alger Theater
Bringing the Veronica Alger Theater to life is a collaborative effort. Quinn Evans is leading architectural design, Rockford Construction is overseeing construction, and The Roy Company is providing strategic project oversight and management.
BRINGING THE VISION TO LIFE
A LASTING LEGACY
The Veronica Alger Theater
A new chapter in a story more than six decades in the making.
The reimagined theater will bear the name of Veronica Alger, a meaningful tribute made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Fred Alger.
For Veronica, the theater holds special significance. Her lifelong love of theater and the arts makes this renewed space a fitting reflection of the experiences that have brought her joy and the opportunities she and Fred hope to make possible for others.
The Veronica Alger Theater will carry forward this longstanding tradition while creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Share Your Memories
To celebrate the return of this community favorite portion of our building, we want to see you enjoying it! Whether you have pictures of Henry Ford II, or a local theater production, we would like to round out our museum collection by adding your memories!
At the end of each month, beginning with October 2026 and carrying through to the new theater’s opening, we will be randomly choosing one lucky photo submitter who will win a pair of tickets to a show when the new Veronica Alger Theater opens.
A Theater Through the Years
For more than six decades, the theater at The War Memorial has evolved alongside the community it serves. From the Fries Auditorium to the Patriot Theater and now the Veronica Alger Theater, each chapter carries forward a tradition of bringing people together through arts, culture, and shared experiences.
1962
The Fries Auditorium
Image: Henry Ford, II Speaking at the Fries Auditorium
Built in 1962 as part of an expansion of The War Memorial, the 6,000-square-foot Fries Auditorium was made possible through a bequest from William Fries, former headmaster of University Liggett School.
The 450-seat auditorium became a gathering place for lectures, concerts, films, theater and community events, welcoming notable guests and generations of local audiences.
OVER THE YEARS, THE STAGE WELCOMED
speakers and performers including George Romney, Henry Ford II, Bob Seger and Ted Nugent. In 1975, future First Lady Nancy Reagan delivered a lecture here.
2017
The Patriot Theater
Image: Patrons enjoying a performance
In 2017, the auditorium underwent a significant renovation designed to create a more flexible experience for audiences and performers. Traditional seating was reconfigured, box seating was introduced, and motion picture and sound systems were upgraded.
With the renovation came a new name: The Patriot Theater.
2021
An Unexpected Turning Point
After closing temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater suffered devastating flood damage in June 2021. The seats, curtains, orchestra pit and much of the theater infrastructure were destroyed, rendering the space unusable.
2026-2027
A New Stage.
A New Chapter.
In September 2026, The War Memorial broke ground on the next chapter of this longstanding community space.
Reopening as the Veronica Alger Theater, the renewed venue will begin a new era of programming and community connection.
BE A PART OF WHAT COMES NEXT
The experiences we share today will inspire generations tomorrow.
The Veronica Alger Theater represents an investment not only in The War Memorial’s campus, but in the experiences that will happen within it: performances, films, conversation, learning, and moments that bring our community together.
An extraordinary lead gift from Fred M. Alger and Veronica Alger has provided the foundation for this transformation project. Additional philanthropic support will help bring the theater fully to life and expand what is possible within the renewed space.
Interested in supporting The Veronica Alger Theater?