Lunenburg Opera House facts for kids
The Lunenburg Opera House in 2010
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| Former names | Capitol Theatre (c. 1940 – c. 1970) |
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| Address | 290 Lincoln Street Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0 Canada |
| Coordinates | 44°22′37.4″N 64°18′32.9″W / 44.377056°N 64.309139°W |
| Seating type | Standing room |
| Construction | |
| Built | 20 November 1907 |
| Opened | January 1909 |
The Lunenburg Opera House is a special building in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. Lunenburg itself is a World Heritage Site, which means it's a place recognized by UNESCO for its unique history and culture. The Opera House has a long and interesting story, serving as a place for entertainment and community events for over a hundred years.
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A Historic Beginning
The story of the Opera House began in 1907. A group called the International Order of Odd Fellows bought the land. They paid $3,560 for the spot. Construction on the building started that same year.
The building was finished in 1908. Its very first concert happened that year. For many years, the Opera House was a busy place. It hosted "vaudeville" shows, which were live performances with singing, dancing, comedy, and other acts. It was also a popular spot for live theatre.
From Stage to Screen
In the 1940s, the Opera House changed its purpose. It became a movie theatre called the Capitol Theatre. People in Lunenburg enjoyed watching films there for about 30 years.
The Capitol Theatre closed its doors in the 1970s. After that, a man named Jack Sheriff bought the building. He was a former English professor and loved supporting the arts in Nova Scotia. He wanted to keep the building alive for creative uses.
Bringing the Opera House Back to Life
After Jack Sheriff passed away, a group called the Folk Harbour Society teamed up with other local organizations. They started a big effort to buy the building. Their goal was to fix it up and use it again for the community.
A Big Renovation Project
The real restoration work began in 2006. A businessman named Farley Blackman bought the Opera House. He heard rumors that the building might be turned into apartments or shops. He felt strongly that it should stay an arts venue.
Blackman wanted the building to be used for its original purpose. He believed it could bring the world of arts to Lunenburg. The renovation took about ten years to complete. During this time, the building got many new parts. This included a new roof, new siding, windows, and doors. It also received better insulation and new seating.
A New Chapter for the Arts
In 2019, the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society bought the Opera House. They received financial help from the Fordi Family Foundation. This allowed them to secure the building's future.
The Lunenburg Opera House officially reopened on October 5, 2019. Today, the Folk Harbour Society plans to use it as a vibrant arts center. It will also be a main location for the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival. Plus, other groups can rent the space for their own events. It continues to be a special place for arts and culture in Lunenburg.
