The Landmark on Main Street

Landmark on Main Street is a performing arts and community center at 232 Main Street in Port Washington, New York. Housed within Port Washington’s historic former Main Street School, the nonprofit complex is best known for the Jeanne Rimsky Theater, an intimate 425-seat performance venue presenting concerts, comedy, family entertainment, theatrical programs and other live events throughout the year. Landmark is more than a theater. The property combines performing arts, community programs, nonprofit organizations, recreational facilities and affordable senior housing within a historic building that was preserved and redeveloped through a community-led effort.

From Main Street School to Landmark

The building that houses Landmark originally served as Main Street School, an important part of public education in Port Washington for generations. When the Board of Education announced in 1984 that the school would close, local residents began considering ways to preserve the historic property and put it to new use. Two citizen groups emerged with complementary ideas. One sought additional recreational and cultural facilities for children and families, while another wanted to create affordable housing for senior citizens.

Rather than demolishing the former school, those efforts eventually developed into a plan that combined housing and community facilities on the property. Construction began in 1994 and took approximately 17 months. Landmark on Main Street opened in November 1995, transforming the former school into a mixed-use community complex.

A Major Community Preservation Project

Redevelopment of the former school was an ambitious undertaking. According to Landmark, the approximately $11.5 million acquisition and renovation was financed through a combination of government and corporate funding and private contributions. The completed project included 59 units of affordable senior housing, a two-acre Town park and a roughly 25,000-square-foot community center. The result allowed the historic building to remain an active part of Port Washington rather than becoming a relic of its earlier use.

Jeanne Rimsky Theater

The primary performance space inside Landmark is the Jeanne Rimsky Theater, a 425-seat auditorium used for professional performances as well as community programming and rentals. Its relatively small capacity is an important part of its appeal. Even nationally recognized performers can be seen in a setting considerably more intimate than Long Island’s arenas and large concert halls. The theater has wheelchair-accessible seating, and Landmark offers accessibility services for guests who make arrangements through the box office.

Concerts, Comedy and Live Entertainment

Landmark presents a varied calendar rather than specializing in a single type of entertainment. Programming includes live music, comedy, children’s performances, conversations and special community events. The theater’s size makes it particularly well suited to singer-songwriters, acoustic performances, comedians and artists whose shows benefit from a close connection with the audience. Its programming continues to attract established touring performers while also providing a stage for cultural and community events. Recent seasons have included concerts and appearances covering folk, rock, jazz, blues, comedy and other forms of entertainment.

More Than a Performing Arts Center

Landmark on Main Street was deliberately designed as a multipurpose community facility rather than simply a theater. In addition to the Jeanne Rimsky Theater, the complex contains the Doctors’ Gymnasium, meeting facilities and space used by nonprofit community organizations. Landmark says that hundreds of children, teenagers and adults can pass through the building on an ordinary weekday for programs and activities. The combination of cultural programming and community services makes Landmark quite different from a commercial concert venue.

Community Organizations

Landmark provides a home for organizations serving children and families in the Port Washington area. Among the programs operating from the complex are the Port Washington Children’s Center and the Port Washington Youth Council’s teen center, known as The PiT. These organizations use the building alongside Landmark’s performing arts and community programming. That mix of uses reflects the original vision for redeveloping the former school as a center serving multiple generations.

Renovations and Improvements

The historic nature of the building also requires continued modernization. In 2024, Landmark completed approximately $750,000 in improvements, including replacement of the theater’s aging HVAC system and renovation of bathrooms. The Jeanne Rimsky Theater temporarily closed during the work before reopening for its fall performance season. The upgrades allowed the organization to modernize important building systems while continuing to operate within the preserved former school.

Location in Downtown Port Washington

Landmark is located at 232 Main Street, Port Washington, NY 11050, directly across from the Port Washington Public Library. The entrance to the Jeanne Rimsky Theater is identifiable by its blue awning. Its Main Street setting places visitors within Port Washington’s downtown district, with restaurants and businesses nearby. Unlike suburban performance venues surrounded by large parking fields, Landmark is integrated directly into the surrounding community.

Getting There by Train

Landmark is also accessible using the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Washington Branch. From the Port Washington station, visitors can walk along Main Street to Landmark in approximately eight to ten minutes. That makes the theater one of Long Island’s more convenient smaller performance venues for visitors arriving without a car.

Parking

Landmark has limited on-site parking, and availability depends on the day and time. Its current visitor information notes that street parking is available nearby. Parking at the Port Washington Public Library may be available during specified periods when permitted, and additional free parking can be found near the Town Dock. Guests requiring accessible parking can contact the box office in advance to reserve a designated space. Because parking rules can vary by time and location, visitors attending a performance should check Landmark’s current instructions before arriving.

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The Landmark on Main Street

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Key Facts & Details

Key Fact	Details
Name	Landmark on Main Street
Address	232 Main Street, Port Washington, NY 11050
Community	Port Washington
County	Nassau County
Organization Type	Nonprofit performing arts and community center
Main Performance Space	Jeanne Rimsky Theater
Theater Capacity	425 seats
Landmark Opened	November 1995
Historic Use	Main Street School
Community Center	Approximately 25,000 square feet
Senior Housing	59 affordable units within the redevelopment
Other Facilities	Doctors’ Gymnasium and meeting/community spaces
Primary Entertainment	Concerts, comedy, family shows and special performances
Public Transportation	Walking distance from Port Washington LIRR station
Official Website	Landmark on Main Street

Landmark on Main Street demonstrates how historic preservation and performing arts can work together to strengthen a downtown community. What was once Port Washington’s Main Street School was saved and transformed into a center for live entertainment, community services and senior housing, with the intimate Jeanne Rimsky Theater giving audiences an opportunity to see accomplished performers in the heart of Port Washington.