Croswell Opera House
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The Adrian Union Hall-Croswell Opera House has been officially recognized as the oldest continuously running theater in Michigan, and the third oldest in the United States. The theater remains open all year and maintains a staff of nine full-time employees and an annual budget of nearly $1,000,000.
[edit] History
The Croswell as it's known to locals, became an official Michigan Historic Site in 1976 and was added in 1985 to the National Register Of Historic Places. Designed and built from 1864-1866 by John C. Brompton, it has remained a fixture of recreation and culture in Lenawee County and the surrounding areas.
In 1921, the Croswell was converted into a movie theater and would remain one until 1967, when it was scheduled for destruction. The Adrian Foundation saved the building and the Croswell Opera House, and Fine Arts Association was created in order to promote the arts and to preserve the heritage of the opea house. In 1976, the two adjacent buildings were acquired, annexed, and renovated into the current art gallery, offices, and rehearsal spaces.
