Newark Symphony Hall, the legendary historic concert hall and social gathering place, enjoys a long and rich history as one of New Jersey’s oldest and largest showcases for arts, education and entertainment programming. This multi-facility edifice was built by the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in 1925 and was alternately known as “Salaam Temple” and “The Mosque”.

The Newark Performing Arts Corporation hosted a preservation conference on Saturday, May 16, 2009 to explore plans for the revitalization of Newark Symphony Hall. The Conference was attended by 278 Newark leaders and community stakeholders who came to gather additional insight and offer their views regarding the preservation and renovation of Newark Symphony Hall. Their presence at the conference signaled the respect for NSH's historical legacy and the deep and diverse support that exists for the renovation and preservation of this historic concert hall and cultural complex.

At the conference information was shared about Newark Symphony Hall's historic importance highlighting its significance as a vital arts and social venue and promoting its plans to galvanize broad support for renovation and preservation of the physical structure and interior.

Mr. Lawrence P. Goldman, President and CEO of NJPAC, delivered a presentation titled “Concert Halls: Bigger Than The Music”. Dr. Clement Alexander Price, Professor of History at Rutgers/Newark, gave a presentation titled “Newark Symphony Hall in Newark’s Social History”. Mr. Guy Sterling, Feature Writer (Retired) for the Star Ledger, provided “An Artistic Perspective”.

The goal is to establish Newark Symphony Hall as a state-of-the-art community cultural center that hosts and presents the live performing arts and related educational and social programming for the culturally diverse population of the greater Newark area. A resurgent Newark Symphony Hall can also serve as a catalyst to help stimulate the economic growth and redevelopment of south Broad Street and the Lincoln Park Cultural District.

Many distinguished professionals lent their expertise to the conference program and helped attendees to contextualize and understand why it is important for the broader community to exert its civic effort to revitalize this historic building and to devote greater resources to the Lincoln Park Cultural District.

They included: David V. Abramson, Chair, Newark Landmarks & Historic Preservation Commission; Joe Levine, Principal, Bone Levine Architects, NYC; Rick Statz and Gunar Gruenke of the Conrad Schmitt Studios, New Berlin, WI; Robert C. Provost, Director of Marketing, The Star Ledger; Leon Denmark, Producer and former Vice President for Programming at NJPAC; George Jones, AIA, Principal, Johnson Jones Architects Planners, Princeton, NJ; Celeste Bateman, President, Nia Network; Linwood Oglesby, Executive Director, Newark Arts Council; Wilson Woodridge, AIA; Rebecca Doggett, Senior Fellow, NJ Institute for Social Justice; Al Bundy, President, Bundy Productions; Rodney Dickens, Vice President, PSE&G; Elvin Esteves, Esq., Counsel, Business and Commercial Litigation, Gibbons P.C..; and Maria Vizcarrondo, Director, Newark Department of Child and Family Well-Being.

The preservation conference would not have been possible without the many volunteer hours provided by the Preservation Committee who were the planners and coordinators of the conference in cooperation with the staff and board members of the Newark Performing Arts Corporation, and the staff of the City of Newark - Office of Communications.

Other supporters included: the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, School of the Garden State Ballet, Newark Boys Chorus School, Samuel L. Berliner School, University High School, Cicely Tyson High School for the Fine and Performing Arts, NJPAC Theater Square Grill, and Panera Bread.

The Newark Symphony Hall: Re-Imagined preservation conference was sponsored by the City of Newark, Hon. Cory A. Booker, Mayor; Hon. Mildred C. Crump, Council President; and the members of the Municipal Council; the Prudential Foundation; PSE&G Foundation; The Star Ledger; RHB Group; Hon. Robert L. Bowser; and the Friends of Newark Symphony Hall.