Alger Theater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Alger Theater
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| Location | 16451 East Warren Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1935 |
| Architectural style | Art Deco, Art Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000719 |
| Added to NRHP | July 22, 2005 |
The Alger Theater is a special old movie theater located in Detroit, Michigan. It's one of only two neighborhood theaters in Detroit that still looks much like it did when it was first built. This theater was added to the list of important historic places in 2005.
Contents
A Look Back: The Alger Theater's Story
The Alger Theater opened its doors on August 22, 1935. It was built by Saul and Hattie Sloan, who were theater developers in Detroit. They leased the theater to a big theater owner named George Washington Trendle.
Early Days: A Luxury Movie House
When the Alger Theater first opened, it was a very fancy place. It had the best sound and projection equipment. It also had comfortable seating and even air conditioning, which was a big deal back then! For 40 years, it was a popular spot to watch movies.
Changes and Challenges
Over time, the neighborhood around the theater changed. Fewer people came to the movies. In the mid-1970s, new owners took over. They started showing live performances and music, along with movies. However, the theater closed in 1981.
It reopened in 1984 to show "B-movies," which are usually lower-budget films. But it didn't make much money and closed again in less than a year.
A New Hope: Friends of the Alger Theater
In 1986, a group called "Friends of the Alger Theater" bought the building. This group is made up of people and businesses from the neighborhood. They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and reopening the theater. They work to create fun events for the community. They also raise money to fix up the theater.
What the Alger Theater Looks Like
The Alger Theater is located at the corner of Warren Avenue and Outer Drive. It's built with strong steel and covered with bricks.
Outside the Theater
A tall, square tower stands at the corner of the building. This tower is a main feature of the theater's front. It holds the main entrance and the box office where tickets were sold. A big sign with the theater's name reaches up from the tower towards the street. Along Warren Avenue, there are four small shops on the ground floor. The main part of the theater is set back behind these shops.
Inside the Theater
Inside, the main lobby and the auditorium still have many of their original features. The auditorium is made of concrete blocks. It used to seat 1,182 people, but now it can hold 825. The stage was made bigger to allow for live shows. The walls are decorated with cool metal lights that have rounded ends.
Bringing the Community Together
The Friends of the Alger Theater group has been working for many years. They have helped the theater get special historic status. This means the theater is recognized as an important historical building. It received state and federal historic designations in 2005. The city of Detroit also officially recognized it as a local historic landmark in October 2009.
Fun Programs for Everyone
To offer cultural activities and build community spirit, the Friends group hosts free programs. They have a theater arts class for students at local Detroit Public Schools. This class is in partnership with the Matrix Theater Company. They also have a summer outdoor movie series called "Film on the Hill." These movies are shown at Balduck Park on the third Saturdays of June, July, and August.
Restoring a Historic Gem
In 2014, the theater was checked for asbestos, a material that needed to be removed safely. This was a big step towards restoring the building. The group is still raising money for repairs to make the theater stable. They are also planning events and fundraising for a complete renovation of the 825-seat Art Moderne space. Their goal is to fully reopen the Alger Theater for everyone to enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: Alger Theater para niños
- Theatre in Detroit
