I honestly cant believe I am typing this but they actually decided to save the stack instead of tearing it down. It is staying exactly where it belongs for everyone on the train to see and I am just sitting here kind of stunned by the whole thing. Keep an …
December 11, 2014
Final supporters
The smokestack that stands on the former site of the Vitagraph Company silent film studios, established in 1907 in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, is the oldest still-standing monument to the American film industry on the east coast and, possibly, in the country.
Prodigious and proud, the smokestack stands beautifully emblazoned with inlaid brickwork spelling out Vitagraph (visible from the Q train as you approach the Avenue M subway station). Tragically, it is not currently protected with landmark status and is presently threatened with demolition.
We would like to make a plea for preserving it as a landmark for the the borough of Brooklyn and for cinema posterity.We pledge to rally our community and friends to assist with the preservation of this most important architectural monument to American movie past.
Like our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/savethesmokestack
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
November 21, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
October 2, 2014
October 2, 2014
I was just looking at the number and realized we are almost at one hundred which is crazy considering I started this on a whim while staring out the Q train window. If everyone reading this finds just one neighbor who remembers the old film history and gets them to click the link we will hit that milestone by lunch and really show the developers we mean business.
267 Comments
My grandfather's paint and wallpaper store was three blocks north of the studio when I was born in 1958, and I visited the studio as a child. It was always there and I ASSUMED it would be there forever.
I worked in NBC Brooklyn Studios for many years as a cameraman and know the Vitagraph property very well, it's imperative to save something so important to Brooklyn and the history of motion pictures. If there is any way I can help please let me know.
My great aunt was a pioneer silent film comedienne & because of Vitagraph had her chance to become an actress. Please don't let this landmark of earlyMotion Pictures be neglected.Thank you!
This smokestack is the modern face of Vitagraph studios. The entire Hollywood system as it existed in the 1900s and even today was developed in Brooklyn and this is all that remains. This is not only a landmark in the realm of film, but Brooklyn as a whole.
I teach introduction to film history course at Syracuse University and I try to instill pride about the origins of filmmaking in NY to my students. Please do NOT destroy this reminder of early filmmaking, central to our contemporary culture, for the young generation. Thank you.
Its saved!! We did it! Smokestack will stand as a monument to this rich cultural history.
The site should have been repurposed into a working studio/musuem for future generations. It's a crime to at least not have the tower proudly left standing.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
I honestly cant believe I am typing this but they actually decided to save the stack instead of tearing it down. It is staying exactly where it belongs for everyone on the train to see and I am just sitting here kind of stunned by the whole thing. Keep an …
December 11, 2014
Final supporters
The smokestack that stands on the former site of the Vitagraph Company silent film studios, established in 1907 in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, is the oldest still-standing monument to the American film industry on the east coast and, possibly, in the country.
Prodigious and proud, the smokestack stands beautifully emblazoned with inlaid brickwork spelling out Vitagraph (visible from the Q train as you approach the Avenue M subway station). Tragically, it is not currently protected with landmark status and is presently threatened with demolition.
We would like to make a plea for preserving it as a landmark for the the borough of Brooklyn and for cinema posterity.We pledge to rally our community and friends to assist with the preservation of this most important architectural monument to American movie past.
Like our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/savethesmokestack
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
November 21, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
October 2, 2014
October 2, 2014
I was just looking at the number and realized we are almost at one hundred which is crazy considering I started this on a whim while staring out the Q train window. If everyone reading this finds just one neighbor who remembers the old film history and gets them to click the link we will hit that milestone by lunch and really show the developers we mean business.
267 Comments
A very important monument to film history. Don't make the same blunder Universal studios did by demolishing the oldest standing set in Hollywood. Namely the Paqris Opera set from the 1925 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
My grandfather's paint and wallpaper store was three blocks north of the studio when I was born in 1958, and I visited the studio as a child. It was always there and I ASSUMED it would be there forever.
I worked in NBC Brooklyn Studios for many years as a cameraman and know the Vitagraph property very well, it's imperative to save something so important to Brooklyn and the history of motion pictures. If there is any way I can help please let me know.
My great aunt was a pioneer silent film comedienne & because of Vitagraph had her chance to become an actress. Please don't let this landmark of earlyMotion Pictures be neglected.Thank you!
This smokestack is the modern face of Vitagraph studios. The entire Hollywood system as it existed in the 1900s and even today was developed in Brooklyn and this is all that remains. This is not only a landmark in the realm of film, but Brooklyn as a whole.
I teach introduction to film history course at Syracuse University and I try to instill pride about the origins of filmmaking in NY to my students. Please do NOT destroy this reminder of early filmmaking, central to our contemporary culture, for the young generation. Thank you.
Its saved!! We did it! Smokestack will stand as a monument to this rich cultural history.
The site should have been repurposed into a working studio/musuem for future generations. It's a crime to at least not have the tower proudly left standing.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
A very important monument to film history. Don't make the same blunder Universal studios did by demolishing the oldest standing set in Hollywood. Namely the Paqris Opera set from the 1925 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.