Ely State Theater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ely State Theater
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The historic Ely State Theater, seen from the north.
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 238 E. Sheridan Street, Ely, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1936 |
| Built by | J. N. Rautio Builders |
| Architect | Liebenberg and Kaplan |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000440 |
| Designated | July 21, 2015 |
The Ely State Theater is a famous movie theater in the city of Ely, Minnesota. It is known for its cool, sleek design, called Streamline Moderne, which was very popular when it was built in 1936.
Because of its special design and history, the theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. This list recognizes important buildings in the United States. The theater is a great example of the work of its architects, Liebenberg and Kaplan. They were famous for designing movie theaters in the Upper Midwest during the Golden Age of Hollywood, a time when movies were becoming very popular.
Contents
History of the Theater
A Modern Marvel
The Ely State Theater opened its doors in 1936. It was designed by the architectural firm Liebenberg and Kaplan. They gave it a unique look called Streamline Moderne. This style features smooth surfaces, curved corners, and long horizontal lines. It was meant to look futuristic and fast, like an airplane or a train. For a small town, having such a modern theater was a big deal.
Closing and Rebirth
For many years, the theater was a popular spot for people in Ely to watch movies. However, it had to close in 2008 because of a difficult economic time in the United States known as the Great Recession. After it closed, the building started to wear down.
Luckily, a group of people decided to save the historic building. In 2014, they began working to restore the theater to its former glory. After years of hard work, the theater reopened in December 2019 with a live play. Then, on June 24, 2020, it showed its first movie in over ten years, Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
The Theater Today
Today, Ely's Historic State Theater is open again for everyone to enjoy. It works as a movie theater and a place for live events like plays and concerts. A new concessions area and a second, smaller theater were added in the building next door.
There is also a one-bedroom apartment located above the theater's lobby. It is available for people to rent for short stays.
Gallery
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A look at the beautiful design inside the theater.
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The concessions area is in the building next to the main theater.
See also
