Grandstreet Theater - 325
North Park Avenue, Helena, Montana.
DESCRIPTION / HISTORY For the cost
of $20,000, this lovely stone building was built in 1901 as a Unitarian
Church, to also be used as a multi-user facility, for "anything that tends
to build up the better life." The church offered its social rooms for
community use; "various sorts of gathering for clubs, classes, social
events and all the rest." - Reverend Leslie Willis Sprague, October 190
The original building was built with
it's present sloping floor and proscenium stage area. When a church member,
by the name of Clara Bicknell Hodgin died in her prime at the age of only
34, her bereaved friends and neighbors took up a collection to buy a beautiful
Tiffany window which they donated to her beloved Unitarian church family,
who of course installed the window in the building, a symbol of their
love for her. 1.
In 1933, a terrible earthquake hit
Helena, and nearly destroyed the Helena public library. This church was
donated in memory of another woman, Ellen Dean for the city to use as
the interim library. The Tiffany window was taken down and carefully put
into storage at the civic center, and the building was renovated. The
house floor was leveled and a mezzanine was added, to make the use of
the building as a library work.
In 1976, a enterprise known as Broadwater
Productions moved into the building and established the Grandstreet Theater.
When the Tiffany window was rediscovered soon afterwards, it was reinstalled
in the building.
Since 1976, the Grandstreet Theatre
has been busy restoring the theatre to its former beauty, using money
received from Helena's tax-increment financing funds, additional fundraising
efforts and the generous donations from their patrons and givers.
The first renovations done in 1976
required the careful removal of false floors and the mezzanine mentioned
above. Carpenters then restored the tiered seating in the balcony and
built a second exit stairway.
Over the years, the auditorium, box
office, balcony, back stage area and lobby were restored. 200 brand new
seats were installed. The worn-out rose carpeting has been replaced with
lovely jade green carpet and new drapes cover the church-style windows.
The Grandstreet Theatre offers a
lot to the city of Helena, which would please Reverend Leslie Willis Sprague
if he were here today.
Their mission to the community:
"Our mission is to produce a diverse
spectrum of theatre of the highest quality, to provide hands-on learning
experiences in all aspects of theatre production to all ages, and to celebrate
the achievements of volunteers and staff. Grandstreet seeks to nurture
the performing arts as an integral part of life in Helena and the surrounding
area."
MANIFESTATIONS:
When the Tiffany window which was
bought in memory of Clara Bicknell Hodgin, was once again reinstalled
in the building, the following began to happen.
* The gentle, kind entity of Clara
moved into the building as a friendly presence, felt by many visitors
and participants, both children and adults.
* Her light footsteps are heard
throughout the theatre.
* This entity likes to play with
electrical appliances and lights, which sometimes seem to have a mind
of their own.
STILL HAUNTED?
Definitely yes.
Although Clara died at a young age,
she is hanging around and is enjoying observing the living as they perform
in the theatrical arts.
Grandstreet Theater |
