The Purpose of Sunnybrook Foundation

SunnyBrook Foundation - Purpose

The SunnyBrook Foundation

PURPOSE – To restore and operate the SunnyBrook Ballroom and facility in the manor it was designed for; to promote the Music and Dancing of the era from the 1930's through the 1960's; to educate the public through the display of artifacts from this period. Our goal is to open this facility to the general public as both Ballroom and Banquet facility as well as a full service Restaurant. We intend to preserve SunnyBrook in as near exact fashion as it was in the 1940’s.

The Foundation:

The SunnyBrook Foundation was established in 2004 as a non-profit organization to preserve and revitalize the historic nature of SunnyBrook. The Foundation’s principle endeavor is the preserve, refurbish, and operate the SunnyBrook Ballroom as a part of our community.

The SunnyBrook Foundation aims to preserve SunnyBrook as a State Historic Landmark and further develop our foundation guided toward the principles of supporting the performing arts and other community interests within Montgomery and the surrounding counties around Pottstown, PA.

The SunnyBrook Foundation. We are a non-profit foundation based in Eastern Pennsylvania, in one of the many suburbs of Philadelphia. Our organization was founded on several principles 1). to provide charitable giving for certain related arts within the area of the performance and 2) to develop and save the historical facility in order to provide a home for the foundation and its efforts within the performing arts.

The SunnyBrook Foundation was founded in 2004 in order to save and renovate a historic landmark known simply as SunnyBrook. This facility was established in 1926 and flourished throughout the Big Band era and into the Eighties. The focal point of this facility is a magnificent ballroom and stage. This Ballroom has been acknowledged as one of the five largest private ballrooms in America today. SunnyBrook was a haven for many performing artists throughout the ages--- Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, even Sinatra himself played here in its heyday.

However, the complex has fallen into disrepair. This is where The SunnyBrook Foundation and our donors stepped in to save the facility. Over the last several years, private investors have tried to operate SunnyBrook, including the historical ballroom and adjacent restaurant. Not more then three years ago, one developer renovated part of the facility, trying, of all things, to operate a brewpub. Of course, the locals were horrified.

For years, the SunnyBrook Ballroom and its massive outdoor pool was a namesake in the region. Because of the illustrious history of this facility, The Ballroom also provided the largest facility for regional events. Many of these events included weddings, and even a major political convention in the Reagan era. However, most of the services of the ballroom were used by local schools to provide a place for dances, proms, stage shows, and the like.

Since December 2007, the foundation began efforts to renovate this historical site as a facility to carry-on the traditions of the past and as a community center. A major portion of this renovation includes an outdoor amphitheater that will be utilized by concert venues, community events, as well as many school functions.

To date, the SunnyBrook Foundation has raised an estimated $1,200,000 for our first goal. We have raised the support of local politicians and even our state's governor, the honorable Ed Rendell. We have been pledged the aid of state funds and gifts in order to renovate SunnyBrook and develop the amphitheatre and stage for performances.

Yet, none of this can be accomplished without the help of other gifts and donations. In lieu of these facts, we are seeking to secure additional funds in the amount of $5,500,000 in order to supplement the immediate needs of our efforts and fulfill our Capital Campaign Goal.

For Your Knowledge:

The SunnyBrook Foundation is in a race against time to raise community awareness and preserve SunnyBrook. In 2004, The SunnyBrook Foundation, with the aid of local representatives and historical groups, completed initial applications with the State of Pennsylvania to have SunnyBrook declared a state historic landmark.

On August 11,2005, SunnyBrook was listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has gained status as a state landmark. The National Register recognizes the historical, architectural, and cultural merits of certain properties. Such properties listed in the register receive consideration when state or federal projects are being planned, and may qualify for federal historic preservation tax credits and grants when available.

On April 26th, 2008 the Sunnybrook Grand Ballroom was re-opened to the public. After sitting dormant for four years, the foundation was successful in completing the renovations of the grand ballroom. Today, we continue our efforts to complete the additional phases of restoration.
Now that The SunnyBrook Foundation has taken possession, we shall continue to focus upon the renovation of SunnyBrook. The Foundation is looking to move quickly to apply for other grants and begin the renovations to preserve SunnyBrook.

Our hope is that SunnyBrook will once again bring people from New Jersey, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Allentown, Reading, and other areas from around the state top enjoy its allure. Our focus is to establish SunnyBrook as a premier facility and provide charity work to the local community through our Foundations fundraisers and gifts of giving.

Goals:

Refurbish this Historic site, built 1931. The third largest ballroom in the country of its kind, SunnyBrook Ballroom will relive its historical life.

The objective of the Foundation will be to keep alive the beauty of music and dance.
Many of the big bands have expressed an enthusiastic desire to return to SunnyBrook, where some of them attained their start.

The multiple additional activities include business meetings, school graduations, symphony orchestras, special events, social clubs, senior citizen activities, children and school activities. Many activities that were held in the past can return. They will include: wedding receptions, formal dances, bridal showers, baby showers, reunions, proms, Christmas & Thanksgiving parties, New Year’s dances, birthdays, weekend dinner buffets, graduations, bar/bat mitzvahs, dance events, business gatherings, company conferences, trade shows and outdoor functions such as car cruises and local fairs.

Eventually, The Foundation will help to reopen the SunnyBrook Restaurant, which will be managed by a separate corporation. The restaurant operation will be independent from the ballroom but supportive to the activities of the facility. The restaurant corporation will also provide management for and operate the ballroom as a service company for the foundation.

Improvements for SunnyBrook will be solicited from multiple sources - Federal and State funds, foundations, business contributions, and public response to a capital campaign.

A volunteer board of directors will guide the activities of the Ballroom.

To Make a Contribution:
It is time for those who care… to share.
Save a piece of our history, help SAVE SUNNYBROOK.
Send you check or money order payable to The SunnyBrook Foundation.

The SunnyBrook Foundation
50 Sunnybrook Road
Pottstown, PA 19464

The SunnyBrook Ballroom-

The SunnyBrook Ballroom is located in the County of Montgomery in Southeastern Pennsylvania and near the town of Pottstown. It is a widely known and recognized historic landmark known to most, simply as “SunnyBrook”. During its heyday, it was the destination of many people and notable performers from around the country.

This facility was established in 1926 when the swimming pool and adjacent pavilion were erected. Later, in 1931, the grand ballroom was added to provide a place where the local community could enjoy the evenings. The ballroom was famous throughout the nation and had one of the largest dance floors East of the Mississippi. Even today, it ranks as one of the largest private ballrooms remaining in America. The ballroom floor is made of imported wood from Norway and houses an organ built in Austria in the early 1900’s.

The facility accommodated thousands for each of its gala events. SunnyBrook was famous for its wonderful dances and music shows. The ballroom flourished throughout the Big Band era, during WW II and even into the Eighties.

For years, the SunnyBrook Ballroom and its massive outdoor pool was a namesake in the region. Because of the illustrious history, The Ballroom also provided the largest facility for regional events such as dances, proms, conventions, stage shows, and the like. SunnyBrook even hosted a major political convention in the Reagan era.

In the late 1990’s, the family sold off the facility with the passing of their father. At the time, the ballroom and restaurant remained open, however, the swimming pool was closed. In 2000, the restaurant, known as the Colonial room, was renovated and a brewery was added. The brewery fad was short lived and in two years, the facility was sold again. For a short time, the newest restaurant became known as Ortlieb’s Brew Pub, but unfortunately, SunnyBrook has been closed since its previous owner passed away in the fall of 2004.

The focal point of this facility is a magnificent ballroom and stage. This Ballroom has been acknowledged as one of the three largest private ballrooms in America today. In 2005, through the efforts of The SunnyBrook Foundation, the SunnyBrook complex was added to the National Historic Register.

SunnyBrook was a haven for many performing artists throughout the ages--- Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, even Sinatra himself played here in its heyday. Some of the other famous names to visit and play at SunnyBrook include--- Lawrence Welk, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Artie Shaw, and Guy Lombardo. Today, the remains of the “wall of fame”, a large wall behind the SunnyBrook stage, is covered with signatures of the many performers who played at the ballroom.

However, the complex has recently fallen into disrepair. This is where The SunnyBrook Foundation and its donors have now stepped in to save the facility. Over the last three years, private investors have tried to operate SunnyBrook, including the historical ballroom and adjacent restaurant. Now, area politicians, historical groups, and The SunnyBrook Foundation are trying to restore the magnificent Ballroom to its former glory. Even today, a nationwide fundraising effort is underway to help save SunnyBrook.