Newport Opera House facts for kids
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Town Hall and Courthouse
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 20 Main St., Newport, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Queen Anne/Brick Panel |
| Part of | Newport Downtown Historic District (ID85001201) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000383 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 29, 1980 |
| Designated CP | June 6, 1985 |
The Newport Opera House is a special old building in Newport, New Hampshire. It's located right in the center of town. This building has been used for many important things. It's a historic civic building, meaning it was used for town business. It's also a place where people can watch shows and performances.
Built in 1886, it was once famous for having the biggest stage in New England (north of Boston). Even today, it's still a popular spot for performances. The building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized for its unique design and its role in the community. It's also part of the Newport Downtown Historic District.
About the Newport Opera House
The Newport Opera House stands on the east side of Main Street. It's a two-and-a-half-story brick building. Its tall clock and bell tower make it easy to spot. This tower is a key part of Newport's historic downtown area.
Building Style and Features
The building's style is called Queen Anne Victorian. It also has "Panel Brick" elements. This means it uses different brick patterns for decoration. The main part of the building has a hip roof, which slopes on all sides. It also has a special brick design called a "corbelled brick cornice" near the roof.
Most of the decorations are made of brick. But you can also see some "terra cotta" panels. Terra cotta is a type of baked clay. The windows on the first floor have rounded tops. The windows on the second floor have round-arch tops.
The tower sticks out from the front of the building. The main entrance is right at the front of this tower. Higher up, the tower has a "belfry stage." This is where a bell used to be. This bell was made by Paul Revere! Now, the bell stands in front of the building. Above the belfry, the tower has a pointed, pyramid-shaped roof. This roof has small gabled sections that hold the clock faces.
History of the Building
The Newport Opera House was built in 1886. It replaced an earlier town hall and courthouse that burned down in 1885. A famous architect named Hiram Beckwith designed the new building. He was from Claremont.
For many years, this building was Newport's town hall. It also served as the main courthouse for Sullivan County. But it has always been a place for performances too. When it was rebuilt, people said its stage was the biggest north of Boston.
In 1974, the Opera House was carefully restored. The restoration finished in 1976. To celebrate, they unveiled the stage with a performance of The Music Man.
See also
