Mann Center is 'Crown jewel of Lee County'

Dec. 1—The Mann Center has been called by some "The Crown jewel of Lee County," and for good reason.

This cultural arts center contains a wealth of musical performances, ballet, karate lessons, social gatherings, worship services, and has a free clinic for the impoverished and uninsured in the basement.

While some may think of it as an eyesore, others see it as a beautiful building from its time, being used in a way that not only provides services and entertainment to the community, but also preserves the building as a historical site. The original decorative designed crown molding of the theater is still in good shape, and almost seems to tell a tale like that of Trajon's Column, reminiscent of Roman-Greco architecture, from when it was built in 1925.

Several charitable groups also have their offices located in The Mann Center, which helps cover the basic costs of keeping the lights and the heat on in the old school building, while ticket sales go to capital projects, such as renovations, repairs, and adding equipment needed to keep the center functioning properly.

There are only two paid part-time employees that work at the Mann Center; one is a housekeeper, and the other is Kevin Brown, executive director of The Mann Center.

The Tourism Authority has been helpful getting the word out about The Mann Center. "We've been thankful to be a part of their tourism advertising." Brown said of Visit Sanford.

While non-profit organizations, such as The Salvation Army, have been staple renters in the Mann Center, now cultural arts programs are renting spaces to put on art shows, host small plays, and have dance recitals.

"It's been a great addition to our center," Brown said, "the cultural arts is the future of The Mann Center."

Brown, and the board of directors, volunteers, and donors have invested many hours, and money into making the center a place to improve the quality of life for everyone, and provide both health services.

Brown, serving in his 13th year as Director said, "We have come a long way — just in the time since I've been here. It's wonderful to see this place continue to grow and change as Sanford continues to grow and change. As Sanford goes from 30,000 people to one day 60,000 people, we (at The Mann Center) hope to be able to keep up with that growth by offering the cultural needs of a growing city that will be in demand."

The Mann Center has come a long way.

In the 1990s the powers-that-be had to determine if the old school building would be torn down, or saved for some other use. This is where the Mann family comes in — they knew the importance of not only saving the building but offering a place to have services to improve the quality of life for the people of Sanford and surrounding areas.

"They were instrumental in rescuing this building from the depths of despair." Brown said in reference to the Mann Family, who, now currently in the third generation, provides care and dedication to the purpose of the center, as chairman of the institution.

It might be called the "Crown jewel of Lee County" for good reason, but it is slowly becoming the center of cultural arts and social events of the region.

"We don't have a beach like Wilmington, and we don't have a mountain like Asheville, but we do have the community, the arts, and our central location that makes us special, and I'm really looking forward to what becomes of The Mann Center over the next twenty years and beyond." Brown said, as he took The Sanford Herald on a tour of the building.

The Lee County Community Orchestra will be performing an "Overture to Christmas" on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For more information, or to inquire about tickets, please visit MannCenterNC.org.