Valentine Theatre - Toledo, OH
Posted by: 
JIMBOBWE
N 41° 39.177 W 083° 32.055
17T E 288974 N 4614347
The Toledo Cultural Arts Center, a non profit organization, produces and provides cultural and performing arts experiences for diverse audiences of all ages, to enhance the quality of the cultural and economic life of the City of Toledo, Lucas County, Northwestern Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
Waymark Code: WM5C74
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 12/16/2008
Views: 15
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Valentine Theatre is one of Toledo's most colorful historical landmarks, having endured a tumultuous history and a close call with the bulldozer. The theater was commissioned by a young millionaire, George Ketcham, in honor of his late father, Valentine (hence the name), and designed in the "Chicago School" style by E.O. Fallis. Its doors opened on Christmas night in 1896; the demand for tickets to this opulent Victorian theater was so great that tickets were auctioned off. Since then it's seen many transformations. Due to the depression of the 1890s, the building was soon leased to the City Council for office space, making it a local political hot spot.
In 1914, projection facilities were added so that silent movies could be shown along with stage shows. In 1942 a major rehab covered up or destroyed most of the original architecture, turning the Valentine into one of the country's first Loews movie houses. It closed in 1972. Despite a city task force's recommendation to tear down the building in 1983, various cultural and civic groups organized as the Friends of the Valentine to save the theater from destruction. Within months the council voted to save the theater, and the Valentine reopened its doors in the fall of 1999 to the tune of a $20 million restoration.
It now hosts the Toledo Opera, Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and many other acts, including traveling Broadway shows.
Theater Name: Valentine Theatre
Country: USA
Address:
410 Adams Street
Toledo, OH USA
43604
Web Site: [Web Link]
Venue: Community Theater
Type of Productions:
It now hosts the Toledo Opera, Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and many other acts, including traveling Broadway shows.
Restored Building: yes
Date of Construction: Its doors opened on Christmas night in 1896
Architect/Designer: E.O. Fallis
Stage Type: Amphitheater
Seating Capacity: Not Listed
Special Productions/Events/Festivals: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
One photo different from the one on the home page.
Briefly describe your visit -- date, occasion, your impressions.