Tecumseh Opera House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Tecumseh Opera House
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 123 S. Third, Tecumseh, Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1880 |
| Built by | Dunlap, W.L. |
| Architectural style | Two-part commercial block |
| MPS | Opera House Buildings in Nebraska 1867-1917 MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000929 |
| Added to NRHP | September 28, 1988 |
The Tecumseh Opera House, located at 123 S. Third in Tecumseh, Nebraska, is a really old and important building. It was built way back in 1880! This building has had many names over the years, like Seaver Bros. Opera House and Smith Theatre.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means it's a special building that's important to history. It's a great example of an old opera house in Nebraska that has been kept in good condition.
The Building
The Tecumseh Opera House is made of brick. It's about 76 feet wide and 80 feet long. The roof is covered in tar and used to have some water damage, but it has been fixed. To get to the main show area on the second floor, you have to go up a wide staircase. The place where tickets were sold used to be at the top of these stairs, but it's not there anymore.
The main show area, called the auditorium, is 30 feet wide and 60 feet, 6 inches long. There isn't a balcony in this theater. The original ceiling, made of molded white tin, is still there. However, it and the walls around it had some rain damage in the past. The stage opening, called the proscenium arch, is 20 feet wide and 11 feet high. The stage itself is 18 feet deep. It doesn't have a front extension (apron) or any trap doors.
Overall, the building's structure and its historical look have been kept very well.
Why It's Special
The Tecumseh Opera House was super important to the people of Tecumseh and the towns nearby. It was a central place for all kinds of fun and community events.
A Place for Shows
This opera house was a hub for performing arts. People came to see many different types of shows. There were musical concerts, plays put on by traveling groups, and famous performers like Maude Atkinson and John Dillon. Classic stories like Monte Cristo and Uncle Tom's Cabin were performed here. There were also minstrel shows, like those by the local group, the Tecumseh Ticklers. Even grand operas, funny operas, and local talent shows happened on its stage. It was the main place to see live entertainment!
Fun for Everyone
Beyond just plays and concerts, the Tecumseh Opera House was a gathering spot for the whole community. People would come for dances, interesting lectures, and meetings about important topics like temperance (avoiding alcohol). It was also a place where people could watch early silent movies, which was a big deal before TVs and modern cinemas existed!
A Community Hub
The opera house also served as a social center. It hosted political meetings where people could hear speeches from leaders like Senator Charles F. Manderson. Church groups held events and fundraisers there, like chicken pie festivals and bazaars. Surprisingly, it even hosted basketball games, with local teams playing against others! Before radio and television, people would plan to attend events at the opera house months in advance. It was truly the heart of the community's social life.
