Bellefontaine, OH - Bellefontaine theatre plans restorations

posted by ThrHistoricalSociety on June 20, 2016 at 9:02 am

From The Springfield News-Sun: A local theatre is moving forward with plans for a $1.2 million restoration project after being awarded a grant for historic preservation.

The Holland Theatre, 127 E Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, originally opened in 1931. It’s the only remaining Dutch themed theatre in the country, said Kris Swisher, president of Logan County Landmark Preservation.

“We’re going back to the original look,” Swisher said.

Swisher recently learned the theatre was awarded a $430,000 grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation for historical preservation.

“They believed in this theatre because of the very uniqueness and the small town atmosphere here,” she said.

To receive the funds, Swisher said, the theatre has to raise $860,000 in the next three years.

“We will be selling seats for community involvement,” she said. “And approaching businesses in the community to sponsor buildings.”

The restorations will include all new seats in the theatre, architect Karen Beasley said, as well as repairs to the building facades that frame the stage.

“This is a great thing for our community to have,” Beasley said.

Beasley and Swisher believe the funds will be raised in time.
“We have confidence that we won’t let you down and we’ll go forward with this,” Swisher said.

The restorations will begin as soon as the money is raised, Swisher said.

Story Link: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/news/local/bellefontaine-theatre-plans-restorations/nrh4Y/

ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

Learn more about historic theatres in the THS American Theatre Architecture Archives and on our website at historictheatres.org