|
HOHS
News Grants breathe new life into Opera House project From the Davenport TIMES February 15, 2007 |
||
|
Easter came early for members of the Harrington Opera House Society. Two grants received from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation (INCF)* and the Lincoln County Economic Development Fund (EDF) for $29,337 and $10,000, respectively, will breathe new life into the society's plans to renovate the facility so it could be ready for performances in three years. Society treasurer, Billie Herron, said she and her colleagues were encouraged by the grants, which will go a long way toward constructing a second entry/exit stairwell from the second floor Opera House to the downstairs area that once was the "bank" of the "Bank Block Building." About $190,000 will eventually be required to complete the six planned phases of restoring the building to use, she estimated, adding that the society is hopeful that the grant awards will touch off a new round of local fundraising to supply what is lacking. Previous fundraising efforts and membership campaigns since 1993 resulted in a new steel roof, windows, brick exterior (the south wall was brought back into alignment) and updated electrical service - all completed. At that point, performances resumed in the historic hall. But, when about 300 turned out for a barbershop quartet program, one of the musicians, a firefighter, called attention to the need for a fire escape and advised that the facility not be used until one was in place, Herron recalled. That motivated the third phase, which the new grants will underwrite, and includes the entry/exit and renovation of second floor bathrooms. It was determined that an exterior fire escape won't be necessary as a result of the interior entry/exit stairwell, Herron explained. Mertz Wuts, husband of Harrington and Rocklyn Methodist minister Cindy Wuts, volunteered to head up the work. Herron credited Lincoln County Economic Development Council executive director Pam Kelley for "really going to bat for us on these." |
Offering congratulations on the award, INCF president Mark Hurtubise
noted his organization is "proud to be part of your work."
The EDF is administered by the Lincoln County Commissioners, who voted
unanimously to distribute the funds on January 16, 2007. "We congratulate you on all the hard work you are doing on the Harrington Opera House and look forward to the day when this will be a cultural hub that all of Lincoln County will view with pride," the commissioners wrote. "The remaining three phases of the project include finishing electrical, plumbing and heating systems. Society members have discussed the possibility of developing an artistic classroom and to associate with historic preservation groups for assistance in detailing the rooms. Herron said photos of the interior are rare and invited anyone who would share such to contact her at 253-4594. In its heyday, the Bank Block Building, dating from 1904, housed the Bank of Harrington, the Harrington Citizen newspaper, a barber shop on its ground floor, along with the Opera House upstairs, used for musical performances and community gatherings, and a bowling alley under a cigar and confectionary store. Mirrors from the barber shop have been recovered, along with equipment from the newspaper office. Mertz Wuts, husband of Harrington and Rocklyn Methodist minister Cindy Wuts, volunteered to head up the work. Herron credited Lincoln County Economic Development Council executive director Pam Kelley for "really going to bat for us on these." |
|
| |
||