Deane Center for the Performing Arts: A Generous Gift That Keeps On Giving

Tioga County | Pine Creek Valley & The PA Grand Canyon

Wellsboro is known as being one of the most charming towns in Pennsylvania, and part of its charm lies in how businesses line that iconic gas-lit Main Street – including a top-notch performing arts center. Whether you want to watch an amazing show or concert or even perform in a show yourself, look no further than the Deane Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Wellsboro, nestled in the Pine Creek Valley and PA Grand Canyon landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The Deane Center began as a dream and a million-dollar gift from locals Ivah and Harold Deane. Generosity ran in Harold’s family. His relative, Arthur Gmeiner, through his generosity, made the Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center a reality for the town. Harold saw how transformative that donation was for the community. Harold and his wife wanted to make an expansion to the art scene, with a focus on the performing arts. 

Ivah specifically wanted it to be within a mile of Wellsboro, because she wanted it to be as accessible as possible to folks who would be able to walk to it in town. Executors of her estate considered several locations for this venture, but the idea of it being on Main Street was a homerun. 

In 2006, the downtown location building was chosen. Its grand opening was in March of 2012, and the Deane Center has been a welcoming home to community members of all ages ever since. 

The Deane Center hosts musical acts, Hamilton-Gibson theatre shows, men’s and women’s choruses, Deane Little Beans for children, Golden Afternoons for Senior Citizens, and many other local events and classes. The location can also be rented for receptions, parties, business meetings, and more. It encompasses everything in the performing arts realm, adding new events to its calendar all the time. 

In the summer, you can find a special concert series on their lawn, attracting both locals and tourists alike. In December, you will find a live nativity scene on the lawn during the Christmas on Main Street town celebration. 

The Deane Center brings together the Wellsboro community, and it continues to be a hub for the performing arts in Tioga County. Check out their events schedule at www.deanecenter.com to see what is coming next!

The Deane Center for the Performing Arts is an Experience Maker within the PA Wilds Cooperative. Learn more about The Deane Center by visiting their PA Wilds Cooperative profile or by searching the directory at members.pawildscenter.org.