A touch of Broadway can be felt at the Roxy Theatre on Northampton's Main Street, with its brilliant marquee.

With the exception of two American flags that stand on either side of the stage, the theatre has undergone a complete makeover in the past two to three years. New seats and carpeting were installed along with other upgrades.

The flags have hung on poles several feet above the orchestra pit and patron seating for 76 years.

The American Legion Post in Northampton donated the American flags to the Roxy Aug. 31, 1937.

Roxy owner Richard Wolfe said the celebration was chronicled on the front page of the former Cement News.

The flags display only 48 stars because Alaska and Hawaii had not yet become part of the union. Franklin D. Roosevelt was president at the time.

While visiting the theatre recently, John Stoffa, Northampton County executive and an Allen Township resident, observed the flags "looking a little tired."

He contacted state Rep. Julie Harhart (R-183) and asked if the Commonwealth could donate fresh new flags to the theatre.

Harhart brought an American flag and a Pennsylvania flag to the Roxy Monday. Both flags have flown over the state capitol in Harrisburg.

Following a simple ceremony, the flags were mounted on the sides of the stage, the curtains serving as a backdrop.

"We will retire the older flags," Wolfe said.

One will be folded military style, in a shape of a triangle, and put in the Roxy's archives.

The second flag, whose white stripes show age, may be donated to the Northampton Area Historical Society, he said.