Where in the ADK? The Depot Theatre in Westport
Photos courtesy Depot Theatre
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from the charming village of Westport on the shores of Lake Champlain. It is the original train depot erected in Westport by the Delaware and Hudson Railway in 1876.
Just over 100 years later, the depot was destined for the wrecking ball as train travel declined dramatically in the second half of the 20th Century.
The visionary people of Westport saw the former depot as an opportunity to preserve a beautiful building and create a space for the community to use. Thus, the Depot Theatre was born. Today it is the only theater in the Adirondacks that is legit with the Actors’ Equity Association. Read more about the Theatre.
We’ve been knocked out by the quality of theatrical productions at the Depot Theatre. The talent the theatre attracts is first-rate. And the house has no bad seats; all of them are comfortable.
Beyond its current use as a Theatre, the Depot continues to be utilized as a train station. Though the D&H is no longer in operation, this historic train depot is meant to serve Amtrak passengers between Manhattan and Montreal (although current train travel North of the border is suspended because of Canada's extreme policies on rail speed).
Optimistic Amtrak executives are developing and expanding a heated passenger platform in Westport adjacent to the Depot Theatre with the expectation that it will be used in the future, if not for train travel, then for late night post theatre dance parties.
Freight trains pass by the station 24/7. If this occurs during a performance, house lights come up, and the actors freeze on stage until the trains pass (and we were worried about silencing our mobile phones).
Bottom line, if you haven’t been here, it’s a great place to visit in the ADK.
Related Articles
Beautiful hand-crafted jewelry using authentic Adirondack Garnet gemstones.