|
The Opera House:
Past and Present
Honorary Recognitions
-
January 30, 2002 - Outstanding Community Initiative Award for commitment to the restoration as an architectural and cultural centerpiece.
-
July 10, 2006 - Michigan Registered Historical Site - Michigan Historical Commission
-
2007 - Significant Historical Building - Howell Main Street
- 2008 - Historical Preservation & Design Award for Preservation Stewardship - Howell Main Street
- Listed on the National Historic Register
|
 |
| The Opera House theatre today. For more photos, click here. |
|
|
In 1881, a three-story late Victorian building of red brick was constructed at 123 W. Grand River in downtown Howell as a community opera house. On December 30th of the same year, the opera house stage opened with its first performance. Until 1924, when it was closed by the fire marshall, the theatre was the center of entertainment for the community offering a variety of live shows, speeches, dinners, graduation ceremonies, plays, and many other leisure activities of the era.
Designed by notable Detroit architect Almon C. Varney, the building held retail spaces on the first floor and the theatre and balconies above. Prior to 1938, a center entry on front of the building opened to a wide staircase that led to the second floor theater.
In 1885, E.D. Stair managed the theatrical house until he acquired the Detroit Free Press and Garrick Theatre. New management took over in 1893 and the building was sold to Arthur Garland. He used part of the main floor for manufacture of custom-tailored suits that he shipped all over the country.
The 800 seat theatre, which cost $11,000 in 1880 to build, was a central part of Livingston County's life and did double duty as a civic auditorium for events like high school graduations. In 1889, justice was administered when the Opera House served as a temporary home for the Livingston County Circuit Court.
When the theatre was closed in 1924, it brought an end to nearly 45 years of entertainment for the community. From opening day on December 30, 1881 until closing, people would come from miles around to see jugglers; hear speeches from the likes of presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan and industrialist Henry Ford; enjoy dinner theatre and parties; and see productions of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado" and Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
In 1991, historic theatre expert Edward Francis said that the Opera House should be placed on an "endangered species" list because most other theatres of its era had burned down. Today, the Opera House theatre on second floor remains in a neglected state, and has been used only for storage for the last 80 years.
The Livingston Arts Council (LAC) purchased the building in 2000 and began the renovation in small steps. New stairways were completed and several structure repairs were made. In May 2007, the first floor renovation was completed, thanks to state and federal grant funding and the generosity of the community. It is now open to the public as an ideal location for art shows, presentations, meetings, parties, and as rental space for private use.
Currently the theatre can not be used by the general public except for guided tours, which can be arranged by calling the LAC office, 517.540.0065. A donation of $1.00 per person is suggested. We welcome the opportunity to show the community this fascinating, historic gem and relay its future revitalization plans!
It is with great passion and dedication that the organization and the community realizes this restoration dream that will enrich lives and promote quality arts and cultural activities in Livingston County for generations to come.
We greatly appreciate many individuals and businesses in the community for their continued support of this endeavor.
We welcome anyone to take a tour (call 517.540.0065) or attend an event at The Opera House...a place to be enjoyed by all for generations to come!
For a link to an Opera House video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NdhATjWOk
|
 |
| Opera House dinner theatre - 1906 |
|
|
 |
| Opera House - 1881 |
|
|
 |
| Original ticket door on theatre level |
|
|
 |
| Theatre when used as storage before 2000. |
|
|
 |
| An original Opera House playbill - 1893 |
|
|
|
