Metropolitan Opera House (Iowa Falls, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Metropolitan Opera House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 515 Washington St. Iowa Falls, Iowa |
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| Built | 1899 |
| Architect | O'Meyer & Thori |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival Italian Renaissance |
| Part of | Washington Avenue Commercial Historic District (ID12000889) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000690 |
| Added to NRHP | February 20, 1975 |
The Metropolitan Opera House (MOH) is a very old and important building in Iowa Falls, Iowa, United States. It is a special kind of theater called an opera house, where people used to watch plays, concerts, and operas. Because it is so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This is a list of places in the United States that are worth protecting because of their history. Later, in 2012, it also became part of the Washington Avenue Commercial Historic District, which is a group of historic buildings in the area.
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History of the Metropolitan Opera House
The Metropolitan Opera House was designed by a company called Omeyer & Thori. It first opened its doors on December 27, 1899. More than 800 people came to the very first show! People at the time said it was the "biggest social event in the history of Iowa Falls."
Famous Performers and Shows
Many famous artists performed at the Metropolitan Opera House. These included actors like Otis Skinner and Walker Whiteside. The famous bandleader John Philip Sousa and his band also played there. Imagine seeing such big stars in Iowa Falls!
Later Uses of the Building
From 1930 to 1954, the building changed its main use. It started showing movies, like a regular cinema. It also continued to host concerts. Local schools, like Ellsworth College and Iowa Falls High School, used the theater for their drama and dance shows.
Modern Reopening and Upgrades
In June 2013, a person named John P. Whitesell bought the theater. He wanted to bring it back to life. After he bought it, the theater got a big upgrade. They installed new digital projectors, which are much better for showing modern movies.
Grand Reopening with Hugh Jackman
The Metropolitan Opera House had a special grand reopening event on September 20, 2013. A famous actor, Hugh Jackman, was there with his family! He introduced two of his movies, Prisoners and The Wolverine, to the audience. It was a very exciting day for the historic theater.
