CEDARVILL OPERA HOUSE (CONTINUED)

   In 1983, a student at Cedarville College proposed that the Opera House be restored and remodeled.  Cost including heating, plumbing and wiring were estimated at $250,000 to $500,000.  A group of concerned citizens banded together to form the Historic Preservation Commission of Cedarville, and through their efforts, the Cedarville Opera House was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1984.

   The building was again near condemnation with the discovery of a rotting structural beam.   The cost of razing the building turned out to be less than the cost of repair, so once again, the old building was promised new life.  A five year maintenance levy was approved by the citizens, which was expected to generate about $135,000.  Windows were repaired, so pigeons no longer flew freely through the Opera House.   "Tons" of bird droppings were removed.  The leaky roof was repaired, along with the bell tower.

   Fortunately, the original seating was in usable condition, and new plaster and paint brought encouragement.  With Volunteers doing much of the work, the expenses were kept to a minimum. At last, the building was ready.  The first production on Labor Day 1994, was a play written and directed by a member of the community, titled "Oh, Cedarville."

   Local actors told the story of the village and its people.  Cedarville Opera House Society purpose reads: "to provide educational programs, dramatic productions and musical presentations of interest relating to the cultural heritage of the community and other programs of enjoyment and enrichment, at the discretion of the Board of Directors."

(NOTE:  Article was published in the Xenia Daily Gazette, Tuesday, December 18, 2001.  Article was written by Joan Baxter, Greene County Historical Society.)

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