Ely State Theater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ely State Theater
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Ely's Historic State Theater viewed 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 special movie theater in Ely, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1936. The theater was designed in a cool style called Streamline Moderne. This style uses smooth, rounded shapes that look like they are moving fast, like a train or a ship.
The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. This means it is an important building that should be protected because of its history. It was designed by a famous team, Liebenberg and Kaplan. They were top designers for movie theaters in the Upper Midwest during the "Golden Age of Hollywood." This was a time when movies were very popular and movie theaters were grand places.
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A Historic Movie Palace
The Ely State Theater is a great example of a small-town theater from the 1930s. It shows the kind of work Liebenberg and Kaplan did. They designed many movie theaters during the "Golden Age of Hollywood." This was a time when movies became a huge part of American culture.
What is Streamline Moderne?
The theater's design is called Streamline Moderne. This was a popular style in the 1930s. It used sleek lines and curved shapes. Buildings in this style often looked like they were ready to zoom into the future. Think of old trains or cars with smooth, rounded edges.
From Closure to Reopening
The Ely State Theater closed its doors in 2008. This happened because of a big economic downturn called the Great Recession. The building then started to fall apart.
Bringing the Theater Back to Life
Luckily, people in Ely wanted to save their historic theater. Restoration work began in 2014. After a lot of hard work, the theater reopened in December 2019. Its first event was a local play.
On June 24, 2020, the theater showed its first movie in over ten years. The film was Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This was a big moment for the community.
The Theater Today
Today, Ely's Historic State Theater is open to everyone. It is a place where you can watch movies and enjoy live events. The theater also has a snack area. There is even a second theater in the building next door. It continues to be an important part of Ely's community life.
Gallery
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Interior
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Concessions Area in adjacent building
