State Theater - Kalamazoo, MI
N 42° 17.310 W 085° 34.978
16T E 616824 N 4682781
Opening day for the State Theater was July 14, 1927. Built in the Spanish Colonial style.
Waymark Code: WM75XR
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 09/06/2009
Views: 4
The original founder of the theatre was Colonel William Butterfield. John Eberson was the renowned architect who designed the theatre. In line with theatre design conventions of the era, the idea was to create a unique atmospheric effect. The early roots of the theatre were found in the Vaudevillian tradition of performance. Many acts that frequented the State Theatre included opera, dramas, big bands, ballet, dance reviews, stage shows and movies.
The State Theatre was renovated in 1964. These renovations included the removal of the original theatre sign which was beginning to deteriorate with age. It was replaced with a new marquee that is located above what used to be the original box office. These renovations changed the some of the original ornate look and feel of the theatre, but enabled it to continue operating until 1982.
The State Theatre was closed by W.S. Butterfield Theatre Inc. that same year. The closing of such a historic part of Kalamazoo began to mobilize community members. Local arts groups and city officials formed the "Save the State" committee in an effort to preserve the theatre's legacy along with the building. The solution came when the building was purchased in 1985 by the Hinman Company. The purchase bought about further renovation and worked to preserve a part of Kalamazoo's history.
Street address:
404 South Burdick Street
Kalamazoo, MI USA
49007
County / Borough / Parish: Kalamazoo
Year listed: 1983
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1925-1949
Historic function: Recreation And Culture
Current function: Listed as unknown, but it's still functioning as a live performance venue.
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.