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Michigan Theatre (Jackson, Michigan) facts for kids

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Michigan Theatre
Michigan Theater Jackson MI.JPG
Exterior of the Michigan Theatre from Mechanic Street
Michigan Theatre (Jackson, Michigan) is located in Michigan
Michigan Theatre (Jackson, Michigan)
Location in Michigan
Michigan Theatre (Jackson, Michigan) is located in the United States
Michigan Theatre (Jackson, Michigan)
Location in the United States
Location 124 N Mechanic St, Jackson, Michigan
Area 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built 1928
Architect Maurice Finkel
Architectural style Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals
NRHP reference No. 80001874
Added to NRHP May 8, 1980

The Michigan Theatre is a special old movie palace located in downtown Jackson, Michigan. It first opened its doors in 1930. This theater was the very first building in downtown Jackson to have air conditioning! It was designed by a famous architect named Maurice Herman Finkel. He also designed another Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor.

The theater was owned by W. S. Butterfield Theatres for many years, until 1978. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The city of Jackson took over the theater in 1993. Then, a group of people who wanted to save the theater bought it. The Michigan Theatre has had big updates in 2005 and 2024. These updates kept its beautiful original look.

History of the Michigan Theatre

The Michigan Theatre was built for W. S. Butterfield Theatres. This was a large group of movie theaters across Michigan. Construction on the Michigan Theatre started in 1928. Maurice Herman Finkel, an architect from Detroit, designed it. He even used a narrow building that was already there for the theater's entrance.

The Michigan Theatre opened on April 30, 1930. It was a place for popular entertainment like vaudeville shows and movies. In the 1930s, people could enter this amazing building for just a few pennies. They were treated like royalty inside. The theater had a unique Spanish style. It featured fancy plasterwork, colorful terra cotta on the outside, and beautiful walnut furniture. There were also soft wool carpets, oil paintings, heavy drapes, and cool stained glass lights.

The original owners, Butterfield Theatres, ran the theater until May 1978. Later that year, a non-profit group called the Michigan Theatre Preservation Association leased the building. They operated it until 1982 but had to stop because they ran out of money. The old sign, called a marquee, was found to be unsafe in 1987. A new one was put up in 1989.

The city of Jackson took ownership of the building in 1993. This happened because of unpaid property taxes. In August of that year, a non-profit group called The Michigan Theatre of Jackson, Incorporated bought it. This group is still working to restore the building. They even won an award in 2012 for their restoration efforts.

Today, the theater shows classic films and art films. It also hosts live plays, concerts, meetings, and other community events. The theater helps bring visitors to downtown Jackson. This also helps the local businesses. In 2012, the Michigan Theatre held over 300 events. It continues to do well thanks to donations and great programs.

The theater finished a big renovation project in 2024. This work started in 2022. It was paused for a while because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The updates included new air systems and a new digital marquee sign. A local credit union helped pay for the new sign. A new projector for movies was also installed.

What the Michigan Theatre Looks Like

Michigan Theatre, Jackson, Michigan, detail of marquee
Detail of the digital marquee sign

The Michigan Theatre has two main parts. There is an auditorium building, which is about 60 feet from Mechanic Street. Then there is a narrow entrance building that connects to the street. The entrance building is three stories tall. It is about 60 feet deep and 25 feet wide. Its front is covered with yellow terra cotta tiles.

The front of the entrance building has two sets of windows. They are inspired by old Italian Romanesque style. There is also a Spanish Baroque tower with a red tile roof. On the first floor of this building, you'll find the outer and inner lobbies. There is also a place to buy snacks. The second floor has office space. The third floor has an apartment, which was originally for the theater manager. The auditorium building is made of red brick. It is about 100 feet long and 65 feet wide. It can seat about 1600 people. There are seats on the main floor and a large balcony above.

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