Thomaston Opera House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Thomaston Opera House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 153 Main St., Thomaston, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1883 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001319 |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1972 |
The Thomaston Opera House is a really old and special building in Thomaston, Connecticut. It's not just a place for shows; it's also where the town's government offices are located! This amazing building was constructed between 1883 and 1885. It's a great example of a building style called Romanesque architecture, which uses lots of arches and strong, heavy shapes.
Since it was built, the theater inside has been a popular spot for plays, concerts, and even movies. Because of its history and unique design, the Thomaston Opera House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Today, the main group that uses the theater is the Landmark Community Theatre, which puts on many exciting live shows.
Discover the Opera House
The Thomaston Opera House stands out in the middle of downtown Thomaston. You can find it right at the corner of Main and Clay Streets. It's a big building made of brick, with three stories. It has a special kind of roof called a hip roof, which slopes down on all sides.
Cool Features of the Building
One of the coolest parts of the Opera House is its tall, square tower. This tower has five different levels! At the very top, you'll see a clock, and then an open area with three arched openings where bells might have been. A pointy, pyramid-shaped roof and a weathervane sit on top of the tower.
Look closely at the roof's edge, called the cornice. It has decorative teeth-like shapes called dentil molding. It also has small blocks called modillion blocks, which look like they're holding up the roof. The windows on the third floor are set inside round arches. These arches are made of different colored bricks and stones, which makes them stand out.
A Look Back in Time
The Thomaston Opera House was designed by an architect named Robert Hill from Waterbury, Connecticut. It was built between 1883 and 1885. The land for the building was given by Aaron Thomas. He was the son of Seth Thomas, who was a famous clockmaker and the person Thomaston is named after!
For many years, until the 1930s, the Opera House was a busy place for plays and social events. Imagine people gathering there for dances or community meetings! Later, it was changed into a movie theater for a while.
In the 1960s, the building had to close because of safety rules. But don't worry, it was fixed up and restored! When it reopened, the town offices moved into the first floor. The theater on the upper floor continued to host performances. Today, it's still a lively place for live plays and other fun events, keeping its history alive for everyone to enjoy.
