JAMESTOWN AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Opera House Project:
We are pleased to report the progress made in our renovation effort. 90% of the electrical upgrades and 95% of the HVAC are finished with both projects expected to be completed before winter. Cooper Security has finished installing it's donated state-of-art security system and we are most grateful for this needed and generous gift.
The county has approved a CDBG grant to repair the auditorium and stage floors and the state has approved a grant to plaster and paint the upstairs walls. (More about these projects as the updates come in)
New lighting system as been installed with a Chandelier which came out of the old Xenia Home Federal building donated by the Greene County Historical Society. The chandelier hangs over the second landing a the top of the grand staircase. Other fixture which include the original globes were reinstalled around the balcony facade.
Our application for placement on the National Historic Register has been approved by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office which is the first step in designating our Jamestown Opera House as a National Historic Site. The contact person from the OHPO, having become quite interested in the Opera House, made a special trip from Columbus to Jamestown to tour the building and take pictures which are part of our application. All material will be forwarded by the OHPO to Washington DC for final approval by this fall.
We have had two successful fund raisers this year and have two more scheduled for 2007. The Lacey Family, of Jamestown, performed a concert of traditional bluegrass gospel music in May. The family consisting of father, mother and six children who all sing and play instruments graciously donated their time and talent to benefit the Opera House. It was a most enjoyable evening and we thank the Laceys for their willingness to support our projects. In june we had a very successful three day garage sale and open house. We thank everyone who donated items for the sale, who made purchases, who toured and made cash donations. We will have another garage sale in September during the Lions Club Bean Festival and on October 6 the Kettering Banjo Society will return.
We would like to thank these persons who have been volunteering their time for the Opera House projects: Lee Carroll and Kenneth (Tubby) Patterson who donated their time and trucks to haul garage sale items to the Opera House for the sale. Randy Cummings has spent many hours finishing the windows trim, replacing baseboards and doing various other general maintenance. Dave Ramey designed the newsletter Logo for our front cover and has provided much invaluable technology assistance.
We feel the need to inform our membership of the possible demise of thd 1937 Silvercreek Public School building. Among possibilities being discussed are renovation or razing the building and constructing a new edifice on the site. If anyone has concerns or desires more information on this topic you may contact: Dr. Valerie Browning, Supt. or the Greeneview Board of Education both at 4 South Charleston Rd., Jamestown, Ohio 45335
Following is more research concerning the Opera House found in the Jamestown Comet by Jane Hollingsworth
Congressman-to-be Doan and Hon, E. S. Wallace will speak at the Opera House tonight. Only the awfully stupid will think of dozing while they orate. October 1 7, 1890
"Little Galatea", a beautiful Mythological comedy consisting of pure and refined fun taken from W. S. Gilbert's greatest success, "Pygmalion and Galetea', will appear at the Opera House election night. October 24, 1890
Reserved seats for "Little Galatea" at Murphy Bros. October 31, 1890
The Francis Labadie English Comedy Co. will play at the Opera House Tuesday evening, Nov. 4. October 31, 1890
To the patriotic ladies of Jamestown are due the handsome decorations at the Opera House Wednesday evening. October 31, 1890
The election returns of Tuesday will be read between the acts of "Little Galatea" at the Opera House, Tuesday night. October 31, 1890
Harry Baker now has charge of the amusements at the opera house. We are satisfied that Harry will exercise the proper discrimination and bring troupes here that will be well patronized. In himself he possesses the true dramatic Went, and he is not likely to go far astray when selecting companies to cater to the amusement of an intelligent people. His first venture is "Little Galatea", which will be rendered at the opera house, Tuesday, Nov. 4. October 31, 1890
Everybody ought to hear Gov. Cumback, Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, in his lecture, "The Model Husband". He possesses a talent that all will appreciate, or he could never have gained the title which the people have given him. October 31, 1890
No one who attended the Opera House performances this week could have detected that the orchestra had not nwt for practice for three months. The boys don't permit themselves to get rusty. November 7, 1890
It is to be regretted that the many people who hanker after "good" shows failed to put in an appearance at the Labadie Comedy Co.'s performances this week at the opera house. This company is conceded to be the best that has yet to come among us. "Little Galatea", because of its mythological character, is well calculated to awaken a train of thought out of the ordinary vein, is deep enough for the thinker and affords sufficient comedy to effect the risibilities of the "man who laughs". The after-piece each night was rich. The acting of the performers was above criticism. Mr. Labadie and his wife, as well as their supports, played their parts to perfection. They are high up in their profession and deserved better patronage. November 7, 1890
About 125 tickets have already been sold for the Nashville Singers. Nov. 14, 1890
The Old Curiosity Shop in Opera building has received a big stock of clocks. You can get a choice seat now for the Nashville students' entertainment. Later you may be disappointed. Nov. 14, 1890
The Nashville Students pleased the boys better than any of the many companies that come here. Nov. 14,1890
Yours,
N. Fillio, Director of Amusement, National Soldier's Home, Milwaukee
Prof. Anderson who has been dubbed "The Wizard of the North" will interest everybody. He has performed before the crowned heads of Europe. He certainly ought to interest a Jamestown audience, every individual of which is several degrees better than the jeweled bedecked scions of monarchy. Nov. 14, 1890
Harry Baker is now negotiating with several companies and will positively have a first-class attraction in the near future provided the people of this vicinity will show their willingness to attend by leaving their names with him. November 14, 1890
Secure your seats for the Nashville University Singers now. There are a few good ones left. November 21, 1890
The second lecture in the school course will be given at the Opera House Friday, Dec 5th. Dr. Hays, the noted traveler, is the lecturer. November 28, 1890
The State Inspector of Public Buildings was here Wednesday. He examined the Opera House and pronounced the balcony unsafe and to frail to support a packed audience. The lower part is all right. According to the Inspector's estimate it will require an outlay of $1,000 to make the balcony substantial. November 28, 1890.
Dr. Hays will deliver the lecture, "The Palestine of To-Day, Opera House Tonight. December 5, 1890
To R. B. Strong is due the credit of bringing hither the Nashville Singers who performed so successfully last week at the Opera House. The house was filled to its utmost capacity and the audience was more than pleased. There is not discount on the University Singers who never fail to highly entertain their hearers. December 5, 1890
Dr. Hays, who will lecture here tonight is a U. P. Minister, was president of a college in Pennsylvania and now resides in Kansas City. He is an interesting lecturer and when he portrays the "Palestine of To-Day" it will be done in a style to interest his audience whether they be of low or high degree. December 5, 1890
Dr. Hays' lecture was perhaps a disappointment to everyone who attended it but we may safely add that it was a happy disappointment. Nat a few had gotten the idea that the subject was a dry one and must necessarily be handled in the same manner. But professional lecturers understand these things. They take especial care to fortify themselves against what we may term the popular weak points of a familiar subject. Dr. Hays injected into this theme such life and energy and drew his pictures of travel with such realistic vivdness, as to really surprise the hearers. His audience was well entertained. Dec 12, 1890
Miss Clara Yale will give an elocutionary entertainment at the Opera House Monday evening. Mis Yale is the daughter of the new Baptist minister here and the testimonials to her ability are many and come from competent judges. Reserved seat tickets for sale at Murphy's. December 19, 1890
All persons holding tickets in the Jamestown School Lecture Course and having coupons for the Cumback and Hays Lecture must present them and have them taken up at Prof. Greene's lecture on January 15, 1891, as they will not be good after that date. By Order of Com., December 19, 1890
Miss Clara Yale had a good audience Monday night and entertained her hearers in a most sprightly manner. Dec 26, 1890
CURTAIN GOING UP
