Let it not be said that Allentown isn't about entertainment.

At one time, there was not one, but three concert halls at Sixth and Linden streets alone.

Of these, the last one not only standing but thriving is Symphony Hall, newly-minted as Miller Symphony Hall.

The renamed hall reflects the legacy of the man who saved it and the family that served it.

"Don [Miller] was a proactive, civic-minded guy who liked projects. And he worked behind the scenes. He did not want to be out in front ever," said Jack Leh, a partner in the H. Leh & Co. downtown Allentown department store (1850 - 1996).

Among nonprofits benefitting from Miller's largesse: the Allentown Public Library, Baum School of Art and Lehigh County Historical Society.

In 1959, eight years after its founding, the Allentown Symphony was about to lose its venue, then known as The Lyric Theatre, which was set to be demolished.

"Pop [Donald Miller] and Sam wasted no time," Joan Miller Moran recalled of her father and uncle, who owned and published The Call-Chronicle newspapers.

Donald and Samuel Miller presented a proposal June 2, 1959, to the Allentown Symphony Association board to buy The Lyric for $110,000, equivalent to $875,000 in today's dollars.

The Millers had 19 pledges totaling $84,000. The association board mortgaged the remainder. The Lyric Theatre was sold to the association July 14, 1959.

"It was decided that the building [Symphony Hall] should be kept as a commercial enterprise," said Miller Moran. "I assume that meant burlesque at The Lyric."

Burlesque shows helped pay the bills for the hall, renamed Allentown Symphony Hall. It had opened in 1896 as Central Market Hall and was converted to the Lyric Theatre in 1899.

Performers at the 1,200-seat hall have included Sarah Bernhardt, John Barrymore, Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, the Marx Brothers, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Placido Domingo and Tony Bennett.

The mission of the Allentown Symphony Association is "to provide a first-class symphony orchestra and hall, quality performing arts and cultural education in partnership with the community."

Said Lois B. Miller, "This whole thing is because of the [Allentown] Symphony. It's not because of the hall. The hall serves the symphony."

According to Miller Moran, her father wasn't particularly a classical music aficionado: "For him, the Three Bs were not Bach Beethoven and Brahms, but Big Brass Band.

"Pop never wanted his name on anything," said Miller Moran, noting, "The philanthropy fund is called The Century Fund."

According to association officials, this spirit of "quiet philanthropy" motivated the association board, some 53 years after Miller spearheaded the hall's purchase, to memorialize Miller family contributions, which began with Donald and Samuel Miller and continued with the next generation of Pete and Lois, Joan Miller Moran and Alice Anne Miller, as well as Sarah Miller, widow of Donald Miller.

The announcement of the naming of the hall was made Nov. 10 in the Rodale Community Room, appropriately enough right before the Allentown Symphony's second concert of the season, which had an "Americana" theme.

Proclamations to the Miller family were presented by Congressman Charles W. Dent (R-15th), who attended and spoke; State Sen. Patrick M. Browne (R-16th); State Rep. Jennifer Mann (D-132nd); Lehigh County Executive Bill Hansell, also in attendance and delivering remarks, and Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

Also speaking to the approximately 100 in attendance at the event, which included Hors d'oeuvres and beverages, was Allentown Symphony Association Executive Director Sheila Evans and Allentown Symphony Artistic Director and Conductor Diane Wittry, who thanked the Miller family.

The association mounted a $4.5-million capital campaign in 2003 and a $6-million fundraising campaign in 2010, with Lois B. Miller and Joan Miller Moran as honorary chairpersons. The hall has undergone extensive renovations, with additional work to be done.

Approximately 75 events are presented annually at the hall, 23 N. Sixth St., including Allentown Symphony classical music concerts, the "Jazz Upstairs" series in the Rodale Community Room, "Met Live in HD" series and ballet, theater and pop and rock concerts. It is the home of Community Music School.