Alger Theater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Alger Theater
|
|
 |
|
| Location | 16451 East Warren Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Built | 1935 |
| Architectural style | Art Deco, Art Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000719 |
| Added to NRHP | July 22, 2005 |
The Alger Theater is a historic movie theater located at 16451 East Warren Avenue in the MorningSide neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. It is very special because it is one of only two old neighborhood theaters in Detroit that still looks much like it did when it was built. The other one is the Redford Theatre. The Alger Theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This means it is recognized as an important historical building.
Contents
A Look Back: The Alger Theater's Story
The Alger Theater was probably named after Russell A. Alger, who was a governor of Michigan. It was built by Saul and Hattie Sloan, who developed theaters in Detroit. The Sloans rented the theater to George Washington Trendle, a big name in Detroit theaters.
Opening Day and Early Years
The Alger Theater first opened its doors on August 22, 1935. It started as a local movie theater. When it opened, it was a very fancy place. It had great sound and projection equipment. It also had comfortable seating and air conditioning. For 40 years, it was a popular movie house.
Changes Over Time
However, the neighborhood around the theater began to face tough times. Fewer people came to the movies. In the mid-1970s, new owners took over. The theater then showed live performances and music, along with movies. But in 1981, the theater closed down.
In 1984, the theater opened again. It became a place to watch "B-movies," which are often lower-budget films. But it didn't make much money. The theater closed again in less than a year.
Friends of the Alger Theater
In 1986, a group called "Friends of the Alger Theater" bought the building. This group is a non-profit organization. It is made up of people and businesses from the neighborhood. They want to save the Alger Theater. They are creating fun programs for the community. They are also raising money to fix up the theater and open it again.
What the Alger Theater Looks Like
The Alger Theater is located where Warren Avenue and Outer Drive meet. It is built with strong steel and covered with brick.
Outside the Theater
At the corner, there is a tall, square tower. It has a unique stepped top. This tower is the main part of the building's front. The theater's entrance and ticket booth are inside this tower. A tall sign with the theater's name reaches up from the tower towards the street. Along the Warren Avenue side, there are four small shops. They are on the ground floor and are covered with yellow brick. The main part of the theater building is set back behind these shops.
Inside the Theater
Inside the theater, the lobby and the main seating area still look very much like they did long ago. The main seating area, called the auditorium, is made of concrete blocks. It has horizontal stripes made of smaller bricks. It used to seat 1,182 people. Now, it seats 825. The stage was made bigger for live shows. The walls have cool metal lights with rounded ends.
The Alger Theater and its Community
Friends of the Alger Theater is a non-profit group that has been working for 25 years.
Historic Recognition
The Friends group helped the theater get special historic titles. These titles came from the state, federal, and local governments. In 2009, the Detroit City Council officially made it a local historic building. The state and federal titles were given in 2005.
Community Programs
To offer fun activities and bring people together, the Friends group hosts free programs. They have a theater arts class for students at local Detroit Public Schools. They work with the Matrix Theater Company for this. They also have a summer outdoor movie series called "Film on the Hill." This happens at Balduck Park on the third Saturdays of June, July, and August.
Future Plans
In 2014, the theater had a big cleanup to remove asbestos. This was a major step towards fixing it up. The group is now raising money for repairs to make the theater stable. They are also planning events and raising funds for a full renovation. They hope to fully restore the 825-seat theater, which has an Art Moderne style.
Images for kids
-
The Friends of the Alger Theater are working to restore this historic building.
See also
In Spanish: Alger Theater para niños
- Theatre in Detroit
