The Calumet Theatre facts for kids
|
Calumet Theatre
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
The Calumet Theatre, 2009
|
|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 340 6th St., Calumet, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architect | C. K. Shand |
| Part of | Calumet Historic District (ID89001097) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000392 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | August 05, 1971 |
| Designated CP | March 28, 1989 |
The Calumet Theatre is a very old and special theatre located at 340 Sixth Street in Calumet, Michigan. It is also known as the Calumet Opera House or the Calumet Civic Auditorium. This theatre is part of the Calumet municipal building, but it is its own separate section. It was named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1971. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The Calumet Theatre is one of 21 Heritage Sites that work with the Keweenaw National Historical Park. This theatre was the first home of The Red Jacket Jamboree, which is a fun old-time radio variety show.
Contents
The Theatre's Story
At the end of the 1800s, the village of Calumet was a very rich town. This was because of the large amount of copper that was mined nearby. In 1898, the people of Calumet decided they needed an opera house for their community. A local architect named Charles K. Shand was chosen to design the building. A designer from Chicago, William Eckert, planned the inside colors. He chose crimson (a deep red), gold, and ivory.
Opening Night and Famous Visitors
The theatre first opened its doors on March 20, 1900. The first show was an operetta called The Highwayman. It was a touring show that came all the way from Broadway. The Calumet Theatre was one of the first theatres in the country to be owned by a town. Soon, many famous actors, actresses, and other theatre stars came to perform there. Some of these included Frank Morgan, who later became famous in The Wizard of Oz. Other stars were Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Lon Chaney, Sr., John Philip Sousa, and Sarah Bernhardt.
Changes Over Time
As years passed, the theatre became less popular. This happened because the local economy slowed down. Also, movies became very popular. In the late 1920s, the theatre was changed into a movie house. It showed movies until the 1950s.
Live summer plays, called summer stock theatre, returned to the Calumet Theatre in 1958. These plays were performed every summer until 1968. They came back again in 1972.
Restorations and Updates
In 1975, the main part of the theatre was fixed up. This was done for Calumet's 100th birthday. In 1988 and 1989, the outside of the theatre was also restored.
In 1983, a group called the Calumet Theatre Company was started. It became a non-profit organization. This means it uses its money to help the theatre, not to make a profit. In 2013, the theatre began working on adding an elevator. This was to make it easier for everyone to reach the second floor and balcony. The elevator was finished and installed in 2018.
Today, three staff members and many volunteers help run the theatre. The Calumet Theatre now hosts about 60 events each year. Around 18,000 people come to enjoy shows there.
What the Theatre Looks Like
The Calumet Theatre is a two-story building. It is built in a style called Renaissance revival. It is made from yellowish-brown bricks. The building sits on a strong foundation made of Jacobsville sandstone. It has a copper roof with copper decorations called cornices.
One entrance has a covered driveway called a porte-cochere. A clock tower, which used to have a bell, stands nearby. There is also a bright, lit-up sign called a marquee at the Sixth Street entrance.
The theatre originally had 1200 seats. Now, with the second balcony closed and a movie projection booth added, it has 700 seats. It also has five amazing paintings, called murals, on the arch above the stage.
Spooky Stories
Some people who visit the Calumet Theatre hope to see a ghost. The theatre is said to be haunted by Madame Helena Modjeska. The story of her ghost first started in 1958. An actress named Adysse Lane said that Madame Modjeska's ghost appeared to her during a show. This happened when Lane had forgotten her lines.
Since then, other strange things have happened. Many people have heard music when no one was playing. They have also felt cold air out of nowhere.
The Calumet Theatre was shown as a haunted place on a TV show called Most Terrifying Places. This show was on the Travel Channel in 2019. The show talked about how the town and the theatre are connected to the Italian Hall massacre. This event happened nearby on Christmas Eve in 1913.
Images for kids
-
The Calumet Theatre, 2009
-
A recording of The Red Jacket Jamboree at the Calumet Theatre
-
Calumet Theatre, around 1911
