Michigan Theatre (Jackson, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Michigan Theater
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Exterior of the Michigan Theater from Mechanic Street
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 124 N Mechanic St, Jackson, Michigan |
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| 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 super cool historic building in Jackson, Michigan. You can find it at 124 North Mechanic Street. This amazing theater first opened its doors way back in 1930. It was designed by a talented architect named Maurice Herman Finkel. The theater is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 8, 1980.
Contents
The Michigan Theater: A Historic Gem
A Look Back: The Theater's History
Construction on the Michigan Theatre began in 1928. It was part of a big plan by Col. W. S. Butterfield for his theater chain. The famous Detroit architect Maurice Finkel designed the building. He even used a narrow shop already on Mechanic Street for the entrance.
Grand Opening and Early Days
The Michigan Theatre officially opened in 1930. It was built for popular entertainment like vaudeville shows and movies. Imagine, for just a few pennies, people in the 1930s could enter. They were treated like royalty inside this exotic Spanish-style building.
The theater was filled with beautiful details. There was fancy plasterwork and colorful terra cotta on the outside. Inside, you could see walnut furniture and soft wool carpets. There were also oil paintings, heavy drapes, and cool stained glass lights.
A New Chapter: Restoration Efforts
The original owner, Butterfield Theatres, ran the theater until 1978. Then, in 1993, 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 amazing restoration work.
Today, the theater is a busy place. It shows classic films and art movies. You can also see live plays, concerts, and community events there. The theater helps bring tourists to downtown Jackson. This also helps the local economy. In 2012, the Michigan Theatre hosted over 300 events. It continues to do well thanks to donations and great shows.
What Does It Look Like?
The Michigan Theatre has two main parts. There's the big auditorium building, set back from the street. Then there's a narrow entrance block that connects to Mechanic Street.
The entrance block is three stories tall. It is about 60 feet deep and 25 feet wide. Its front is covered with bright yellow terra cotta tiles. This part has two windows inspired by old Italian buildings. There's also a Spanish-style tower with a red tile roof. A large sign, called a marquee, hangs over the entrance. This sign probably dates from the 1940s.
Inside the entrance block, you'll find the lobbies and a snack counter. The second floor has office spaces. The third floor used to be an apartment for the theater manager. The main 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 deep balcony above.
