The Calumet Theatre facts for kids
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Calumet Theatre
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Calumet Theatre, 2009
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 340 6th St., Calumet, Michigan |
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| 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 |
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| Added to NRHP | August 05, 1971 |
| Designated CP | March 28, 1989 |
The Calumet Theatre is a very old and special building in Calumet, Michigan. It's also known as the Calumet Opera House or the Calumet Civic Auditorium. This theatre is part of the Calumet town building, but it's its own separate area. It was named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1971. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The theatre is one of 21 Heritage Sites that work with the Keweenaw National Historical Park. It was once home to The Red Jacket Jamboree, a fun old-time radio show.
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A Look at the Calumet Theatre's Past
The village of Calumet was a busy and rich place in the late 1800s. This was mostly because of the large amounts of copper mined nearby. The Calumet and Hecla Mining Company brought a lot of money to the area. In 1898, the people of Calumet decided they needed a grand opera house. This would be a place for everyone to enjoy shows.
A local architect named Charles K. Shand was chosen to design the building. William Eckert, an interior designer from Chicago, planned the inside. He picked beautiful colors like crimson (deep red), gold, and ivory for the theatre's look.
Grand Opening and Famous Visitors
The theatre first opened its doors on March 20, 1900. The very first show was an operetta called The Highwayman. This show was on tour directly from Broadway in New York City. The Calumet Theatre was one of the first theatres in the country owned by a town.
Soon, many famous actors, actresses, and performers came to the theatre. Some of these stars included Frank Morgan, who later played in The Wizard of Oz. Other famous names were Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Lon Chaney, Sr., John Philip Sousa, Sarah Bernhardt, and Madame Helena Modjeska.
Changes Over the Years
As time 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 in 1958. They were performed every summer until 1968, and then came back again in 1972.
Restorations and Modern Use
In 1975, the main hall of the theatre was fixed up. This was done for Calumet's 100th birthday celebration. Later, in 1988 and 1989, the outside of the theatre was restored.
In 1983, a group called the Calumet Theatre Company was started. This group is a non-profit organization, meaning they use money to help the theatre, not to make a profit. In 2013, work began to add an elevator. This elevator makes it easier for everyone to reach the second floor and balcony. It was finished 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 and events there.
What the Calumet Theatre Looks Like
The Calumet Theatre is a two-story building built in the Renaissance revival style. It is made of yellowish-brown brick. The building sits on a strong Jacobsville sandstone foundation. It has a copper roof with copper decorations called cornices.
One entrance has a covered area for cars, called a porte-cochere. A clock tower stands nearby. An illuminated sign, called a marquee, lights up the Sixth Street entrance.
The theatre originally had 1200 seats. Now, with some changes, it holds 700 seats. It also has five amazing murals (large paintings) on the arch above the stage, called the proscenium arch.
Spooky Stories at the Theatre
Some people who visit the Calumet Theatre hope to see a ghost. They say the ghost of Madame Helena Modjeska might be there. The first story about her ghost came out in 1958. An actress named Adysse Lane said Madame Modjeska's ghost appeared to her during a show. This happened when Lane forgot her lines.
Since then, some people have reported strange things. Many have heard music when no one was playing. Others have felt cold air even when there was no draft.
The Calumet Theatre was even shown on a TV show about haunted places. The show was called Most Terrifying Places and aired on the Travel Channel in 2019. The show talked about how the town and the theatre are connected to a sad event that happened nearby in 1913.
