The Howell Opera House is an opera house located in Howell, Michigan. The site is listed as historic by The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.[1] It is also listed on The National Historic Register[2] as part of the Howell Downtown Historic District.
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The Howell Opera House is a Victorian-style building with a seating capacity of 1,000 people.[3] Plans for the theater were drawn and executed by Detroit architect, Almon C. Varney at the cost of $10,000. Construction began in 1880 by Hunter and Holmes Contractors and doors were opened to patrons on December 30, 1881.[4] The building is located at 123 W. Grand River.
As the central part of the town, the edifice served not only for artistic performances but as a venue for several local occasions such as high school commencement. The theater also served, for a short duration, as home to the Livingston County Circuit Court in 1889.[3]
The Howell Opera House was first owned by the Stair Brothers, E.D. and Orin, who assumed ownership in 1884. The theater was later purchased by Arthur Garland in 1893 [4] who utilized a portion of the space to produce custom-tailored suits.
In 1923, the building was closed by the fire marshal.[3] This brought an end to its intended use as quarters for entertainment. For more than 70 years, The Howell Opera House served as storage for a local hardware store.
In 2000, The Livingston Arts Council purchased The Howell Opera House [3] with plans to restore the patronage to function, once again, as a theater. Renovations began in 2001 with a slow start due to lack of funding. In 2007, the first installment of the development plan had been completed.[5]
Renovations were made solely to the first floor. These renovations include refinished flooring and walls as well as new stairways.[6] Plans have also been made for restoration of the second floor which houses the stage and balcony.