MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES March, 1978 . LO GEOGRAPHICAL DATA QUADRANGLE NAME - QUADRANGLE SCALE 1:24000 VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION -southwest corher óf Washington Street and the Public Square. LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE - 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Deborah Douglas Barrington, Regional Preservation Officer (614) 774-2121 CITY OR TOWN 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHÍN THE STATE IS:* NATIONAL - As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665).I criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE FOR NPS USE ONLY KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER CHIEP OF REGISTRATION GPO 921-803 COUNTY DATE CODE TELEPHONE NORTHING ATTEST: Official Theatrical Guide--l9ll; UTM REFERENCES ZONE EASTING 4560 hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the Nelsonville, Ohio of Stuart's Opera House, Nelsonville, Ohio by Spencer S.Steenrod, 14.316.81420 ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY Lot No. 36 , Recorded Plat of Neisonville, Ohio/ located on the DATE May 25, 1978 I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STREET & NUMBER15 West Second Street: ORGANIZATION ZONE less than one South Central Ohio Preservation Society A History Stuart's Opera House: LOCAL X Photos - ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Inventory - REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF Send-back .
DEC 2 9 1978 KEEPER OTHER HAER ARCHEOLOGIST Entered HISTORIAN Re-submit Review State National Register Write-up 12.26.7 Federal Register Entry Maps Property TECHNICAL United States Department of the Interior - Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service 1-15.78 Working Number(]. 14. 78. 4S4S 2.4-79 HOFFMAN'S Pati Rae Shop Nelsonville, Ohio May, 1978 Negatives: 15 WEst Second St. Chillicothe, Ohio Barrington Photographer: Deborah Douglas Stuart's Opera House Front facade - west elevation HOFFMAN'SUI SPORTING GOODS GUNS BICYCLES - REPAIR - TROPHIES Radio Shaek Nelsonville, Ohio May, 1978 Chillicothe, Ohio DEC 2 9 1978 Barrington side - south elevation Stuart's Opera House Negatives: 15 West Second St. NUV 141978 Nelsonville, Ohio May, 1978 Chillicothe, ohio DEC 2 9 1978 NOV 1 41978 Barrington Photographer: Deborah Douglas Stuart's Opera House Negatives: 15 West Second St.
rear - portion - east elevation Asbesios Curtain. Nelsonville, Ohio March, 1978 Bob Wilson, Jr. Photographer Negatives: Nelsonville, Ohio arch, boxes, and house NOV 1 4 1978 DEC 2 9 1978 Nelsonville, Ohio 45764 Without Written Permission -PHOTOGRAPH BY- PUBLICATION PROHIBITED Stuart's Opera House VIEW FROM GALLERY Bob Wilson, Jr. Interior shot- view of procenium NEDNESDAY_ NOVEMBER ZARROWS ANCING Girls COMEDY SUCCESS Laughs and a ANNA GHELD THE LITLEDUCHESS Nelsonville, Ohio Bob Wilson, Jr., Photographer Negatives: Nelsonville, Ohio NOV 1 4 1978 DEC 2 9 1978 Nelsonville, Ohio 45764 PUBLICATION PROHIBITED Stuart's Opera House Interior shot - rear of stage Without Written Permission -PHOTOGRAPH BY- Bob Wilson, Jr.
March, 1978 REAR WALL Nelsonville, Ohio March, 1978 Bob Wilson, Jr., Photographer DEC 2 9 1978 NOV 1 4 1978 Without Written Permission Nelsonville, Ohio 45764 PUBLICATION PROHIBITED and acoustical dome -PHOTOGRAPH BY- Stuart's Opera House Negatives: Nelsonville, Ohio Interior shot - house, balcony, Bob Wilson, Jr. NELSONVILLE QUADRANGLE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Northing 4368420 NELSONVILLE, OHIO zone 17 ROAD CLASSIFICATION 394020 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY STATE OF OHIO 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) JUL 1 4 1978 Washington, D.C. 20510 concerning the nomination of Stuart's Opera House, Athens County, erty's significance. At the end of this period, the review of the Dr. Thomas H. Smith Director, The Ohio Historical Society Columbus, Ohio 43211 Chief, OAHP FHR-Lumpkin/FHR-CL/CL/NR/POR - 4919 FHR: S Lightner:bac 523-0431 Director Register.
H32-NR Sincerely, Associate Director, Connally Dear Senator Glenn: Director's Reading File We appreciate your interest in historic preservation. Chris Therral Delaporte United States Senate notified and given 3o days to present written comments on the prop- BASIC FILE RETAINED IN N.R. Sitee Preservation Advisory Board meets in September. This nomination has not yet been subnitted to the National Register Honorable John Glenn Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue Thank you for your inquiry on behalf of Mr.Spencer S.Steenrod If we receive the nomination from the State, property owners will be Columbus, Ohio 432il.The nomination has received preliminary review nomination will be expedited.We will notify you with the usual bcc:I by the Ohio State Historic Preservation Officer, Dr. Thomas H.
Smith, Director, The Ohio Historical Society, Interstate 71 at 17th Avenue, Ohio,to the National Register of Historic Places. form notification if Stuart's Opera louse is entered in the National at the State level and will receive final review when The Ohio Historic HOCKING VALLEY MUSEUM OF THEATRICAL HISTORY INC. Nelsonville, OH 45764 (614) 753-1819 Volume 1 Issue 1 fessional companies, thanks to the providence and foresight of the late Baird Stuart, philan- thropist, who died in 1976. Committee hopes to open the doors for infor- located on ground floor; offices will be March, 1979 commemorates the date 100 the first performance. B. Washington Street Entrance to Auditorium. in those days before movies, radio and tele- erected at this corner. Note the "star" Spring 1978 Alumni ARTS. brick sidewalks.
Public Square vision brought entertainment and education Association,the in viewing the auditorium. In 1878 George Stuart contracted for the AND CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING mension for the burgeoning city (prospering anniversary celebration of the Nelsonville the building contains the scenery loft. into the home. years ago when the curtain was raised on opera house between Columbus and the Ohio A canopy supporting a balcony will be Live theatre then provided a cultural di- River on the Public Square in Nelsonville. Figure B is the view of the Opera House THE STUART OPERA HOUSE AND NEWS OF THE RESTORATION OF located in basement. Plans are now underway to restore the construction of what was to be the finest from the rich coal and clay fields around it) exterior as it is today.The high rise of ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUSEUM mal tours on May 28, to those interested A.
Museum and Ice Cream Parlor to be House LANE Opera This year during the week of the 100th theatre as a museum and center for the WHAT IS THERE TO RESTORE ? When the was encapsulated. The motions and sounds of the theatre melded, were stilled and locked into memories of an era. their toll. This view from the balcony in the period, is intact. Backstage a No Smoking warning is signed by the State Fire Marshal of Ohio in 1918. C. This view from the balcony shows the auditorium to be structurally sound. The to comply with present state fire regulations. with visible wire filaments and pointed tips. technological progress of illumination: na- D. The Echo Dome...an accoustical phen- omenon. A spoken word can be heard at any point in the auditorium. sophisticated controls used for lighting effects and scenery changes.
(Figure E.) The stairs to the left of the rheostat pro- vided access to the loft where scenery was E. Rheostat control. Poston. saving. stored. (Figure C.) model light bulbs made from handblown glass, The rheostat that replaced the manually disuse and unauthorized visitors have taken Notice the still-functional Call Board at and gas lights preceded electrical wiring. installed in this country. The rudimentary (Figure D.) were posted for cast and stage crew. the right of the rheostat where messages The seating capacity will be reduced to Figure C shows some of the features worth candles in holders on stage; coal oil lamps, tural light from the west and north windows; found on columns supporting the balcony.
cluded some temporary chairs in the balcony) The echo dome is surrounded by vintage circuit design was the forerunner of today's They serve as a reminder that the first Everything was left just as it was but electric plant west of the Alleghenies was doors were closed in 1924,a period of time Remnants of gas fixtures are still to be plaster is not. 350 (from the original 1000 seats that in- controlled equipment, was one of the first The asbestos curtain, a safety design of The lighting itself is the story of the BACKSTAGE. This backstage scene reveals from the loft above. The artistry and mater- invaluable and irreplaceable. Special handling the show-run, they provide a calendar of were located three flights up. In contrast are the featured performers' dressing rooms, the stars' dressing rooms are just a few steps offstage. STOCK RECEIVING ROOM.
transported to the narrow alley behind the building. The shipments were then raised manually by pulley and moved in to the room G. Stock receiving room and storage area. located at east end of the building ad- The rough metal sheet with handle, left in Fig. F, provides the sound of thunder. AUDITORIUM. The view from the stage to With one exception. The rectangular metal box, center rear balcony, was a projection tures. The highly volatile nitrate celluloid fire, until the theatre could be evacuated. from all angles. Note the wire clips under harsh angles. Pity the projectionist! byterian Church.) through oversized doors. in Fig.F bears witness to the star system formula as gunpowder and the booth was privileges. The chorus line dressing rooms balustrade; the fan shaped arrangement of served without consideration of the structural F. Backstage scenery damage.
(The pews pictures introduced in 1898 were war propa- reflect the sentimentality of the period. booth constructed for the first moving pic- is required to prevent further loss. the rear presents a depressing view if ob- jacent to the stage. centric-wheeled boat which undulates in move- Stage and special effects equipment were The scenery and show costumes were un- stored here are antiques from the Pres- ial alone in these museum pieces make them The balcony in the extreme upper level loaded from railroad cars onto wagons and ganda devices for the Spanish American War. the seats; even the concave soffit from the mementos of the time.Placed at the end of ment to give the effect of being waterborne. also stored here.One such relic is an ec- the seats for holding hats or packages. below in Fig. G, a one-level climb; while design. Note the curve of the handcarved same chemical H.
Original seating gives maximum viewing ceiling directs the vision and attention of note the first moving It is interesting to the audience to the stage.There are no the extent of damage to scenery dropped film was made from the WHY RESTORE? If you don't know your past The Hocking Valley Museum of Theatrical how can you plan your future? net & Co., a 250-year old art auction house and to invite you to take part. in London, was a recent visitor in Ohio. In Spencer S.
Steenrod, Executive Director, of HVMOTH, has announced that future pro- preserve art and architecture, he paraphrased gramming includes a pageant depicting the a fruit seller, a regular visitor at Sothebay's, history of the valley--touching on canal days, early settlers, railroad, coal and clay--as going to have a future." Clark said "..(W)e will as a variety of bookings from acrobats should preserve the things that reflect our to zithers. heritage." He said America is young com- D.C. where HVMOTH sponsored an Opera to grow with our nation." for Young People Workshop in cooperation And it is this same philosophy that points with the District of Columbia Federation of up the importance of preserving the quality Music Clubs, the American Theatre Asso- of small town life where everyone contributes ciation, and the National Opera Association.
something to the community; personal rela- The workshop dealt with ways and means to tionships have more of a social impact than provide exposure and support for local talent, in cities where the average individual plays and promote opera at the grass roots level. a less important role. WON'T YOU HELP US RAISE THE CURTAIN? We must raise approximately $15,000 to de- NOSTALGIA? A wave of nostalgia has swept monstrate the interest of the community-at- hometown or a place in the past that rep- to the terms of the estate trust. resented happiness. To some, the hometown represents security or a place with which to YOUR HELP IN ADDING TO THE COLEC- TION OF RELICS AND LORE WOULD ALSO BE APPRECIATED. Since the project was first announced we have been receiving items TOURISM? Controlled tourism is welcome. pertaining to the history of the Opera House.
We would want to avoid the circus atmos- Any ticket, playbills, programs, photographs phere that goes with overcrowding and cre- or other memorabilia would be of value. Also anecdotes or stories would be catalogued and ates safety and security problems. But the of the valley and the special attractions such SAVE THIS ISSUE OF THE HVMOTH NEWS- as the Scenic Railway, the Brick Kilns, Paul LETTER. It is the first of a series to keep Bunyan Forestry Festival, the Great Cross, you informed of the progress and share the and the Stuart Opera House, to name a few, news you send to us. will help the economy by relieving the de- A special binder has been designed to hold pendence on industry for prosperity. these newsletters as a commemorative sou- Nelsonville is becoming a cultural commun- venir. It is available at a cost of $5.00 and the money goes to the support of HVMOTH.
acquisition of Tri-County Vocational School Please make your check payable to Hocking and the Hocking Technical College. We be- Valley Museum of Theatrical History, Inc., lieve Baird Stuart recognized this direction Public Square, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764 and the coming of a Golden Age. ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. Spencer Steenrod's interest in perpetuating the his- IN MEMORIAM tory is understandable. Aside from 25 years Baird and Frances Stuart loved this Valley as a teacher and director of dramatics, his restoration of the Stuart Opera House. last manager of the Stuart Opera House Please keep them in your prayers of thanks- before acquiring the Majestic Movie Theater on the Public Square. giving. shared.
"If you don't look after your past, you ain't large in supporting the restoration according explaining why he believed it important to Spenny has just returned from Washington, pared to Europe, "...(W)e are in a position this country...a longing to get back to the ity with the service of a hospital, and the and made provision for the plans to begin father, the late Spence Steenrod, was the identify. FROM: GLENN, John Reply Yor Dir Sig. RFRD: OAHP DEC. 6/30/78 POR- 6/22/78 DATE DESIGNATION: REMARKS: Sen. SIGNED: NUMBER: BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECREATION ACK'D: BOR 8 - 12a 6/16/78 National Register RB: Stuart's Opera House in the NRHP KF OAHP CLIFFORD P. CASE, N.J. -CLAIBORNE PELL, R.I. JACOB K. JAVITS, N.Y. GEORGE MC GOVERN, S. DAK. JAMES B. PEARSON, KANS. HUBERT H. HUMPHREY, MINN. CHARLES H. PERCT, ILL DICK CLARK, fOWA ROBERT P. GRIFFIN, MICH. JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR., DEL. HOWARD H.
BAKER, JR., TENN. JOHN GLENN, OHIO RICHARD (DICK) STONE, FLA. COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS PAUL S. SARBANES, MD. Washington, DC 20240 NORVILL JONES, CHIEF OF STAFF ABNER E. KENDRICK, CHIEF CLERK June 22, 1978 Interior Building I am enclosing here the letter I have Enc - JGsg National Register Congressional Relations I would appreciate your giving prompt and serious consideration to the proposal United States Senator Dept of Interior received form Mr. Spencer S. Steenrod of Nelsonville, ohio. he has submitted. Dear Director: Please return his letter with your Qlnited States Senate FRANK CHURCH,IDAHO JOHN SPARKMAN, ALA., CHAIRMAN BOR Mail Contol No. POA 4919 Sincerely PUBLIC SQUARE NELSONVILLE. OHIO 45764 TELEPHONE (614) 753-1819 Washington, D.C.
20510 When I visited Washington last week, Mr.McDougall at the National Register office entire area is reacting beautifully to the idea, taking the position that a whole new Inclosure Sincerely, Museum of Theatrical History, Inc. Hocking Valley of our progress, and notified when the time came that you could do something specific Executive Director June 16, 1978 THE HONORABLE SENATOR JOHN GLENN On March 30 I visited your Washington office, explained the project in which I his office their endorsements of such nominations. Dear Senator Glenn: Thank you for your attention, and please convey to your excellent Washington staff make our corporation eligible for Federal funding. Last Friday the Ohio Office for Historic Preservation forwarded to Washington their 204 Russell Building economic horizon awaits us through the use of controlled tourism.
recommendation that Stuart's Opera House be listed on the National Register of told me that it is customary to ask one's Senators to consider communicating to United States Senate by your staff. At that time, I was assurred that you would want to be informed our delight with them. For the Restoration of Stuart's Opera House for our project. am so deeply involved here in Southern Ohio, and was received most pleasantly Spencer S.Steenrod, DEC 29 1978 Bair, Jacob H., House Honorable John Glenn, Jx. Honorable Clarence Miller Honorable Charles A. Vanik Mendon Canton Location Unionville STATE Mountain House Mansfield Name Shelby County Cuyahoga County Lake County Nelsonville For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-6401.
Chillicothe Honorable Ralph Regula Sidney Also Notified Honorable Tennyson Guyer Sidney Waterworks and Electric Light Building Richland County ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Canton vicinity Unionville District School Stuart's Opera House Mendon Town Hall Honorable John W. Stanton Ross County Athens County Mercer County Stark County Honorable William H. Harsha Date Entered Honorable John M. Ashbrook Chagrin Falls Chagrin Falls Triangle Park Commercial District Timken, Henry H., Barn Ritter, William, House ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Gast, Matthias, House and General Store Honorable Howard M. Metzenbaum Honorable Willis D. Gradison, Jr. Dr. Thomas H.
Smith Columbus, Ohio 43211 Lorain Location Cincinnati STATE Name Lorain Lighthouse Director Maria Stein Lorain County Hamilton County Mercer County Date Entered Honorable Donald Pease For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-6401. Also Notified The Ohio Historical Society State Historic Preservation Officer Immaculate Conception Church, School and Rectory Interstate 7lat 17th Avenue DEC 29 1978 Byers/bjr 1/23/79 3 date of entry: -COUNTY DEC 2 9 1978 (II) CONGRESS.
DISTRICT SOURCE of NOMINATION - deteriorated Oaltered Doriginal site 2O SUBSTANTIALLY INTACT - 3 9O NOT INTACT-O -good -unexposed -reconstructed - Unknown -unexcavated ZO NOT APPLICABLE-7 - No Access AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : OCLAIMS: explain - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - POLITICS / GOVT.- 21 -RECREATION-28 'first'O -ARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 - ENTERTAINMENT-26 I LAW - 16 C RELIGION-22 - SETTLEMENT-29 C ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS -7 - EXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE -17 - SCIENCE- 23 -URBAN PLANMING -31 - AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION - 8 - HEALTH -27 - MILITARY- 18 - ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS-9 - INDUSTRY- 13 - MUSIC - 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL- 30 'only' D - ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 - INVENTION - 14 - PHILOSOPHY -20 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 3functions dates of initial construction: major alterations : *architectural style(s): " interior decorator: @builder/contractor: EVENTS : date IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER& PUT ON REVERSE CONDITION Athens ASSOCIATION ENGINEERING-11 Nelsonville STATE PERSONAL: FEDERAL INSTITUTIONAL: CURRENTLY: vicinity of historic events: COMMERCE-6 PRIVATE ORGANIZATION landscape architect/garden designer: WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: city/ town LOCAL NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP Stuart's Opera House SAVED?YES ADMINISTRATOR: NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET as it appears on federal register: Dexcellent if state who prepared form?
Public Sq. and Washington St. OTHER NAMES: Omoved Tfeatures: Oruins CNPS REGION: 'oldest' O ETHNIC GROUP engineer: artist: reviewers initials artisan: master builder: IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?yesno Ofair
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