Lyric Center for the Arts
 The exterior of the Lyric Theatre, as it originally appeared in 1912 | |
| Address | 510 Chestnut Street, Virginia, Minnesota United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Movie palace |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1912 |
| Rebuilt | Redevelopment currently underway |
| Years active | 1912-1950s |
| Architect | Liebenberg and Kaplan |
The Lyric Center for the Arts, (or Lyric Theater) is a historic theater in Virginia, Minnesota.[1] The theater was originally built as a vaudeville/movie theater and opera house in 1912.
The building was designed for use as a mixed-use commercial space, with the auditorium located behind a storefront space. The two-story auditorium was designed in the Art Deco style. The second floor also houses a ballroom. The architect was Jack J. Liebenberg[2], who would later found the architectural firm Liebenberg and Kaplan, in Minneapolis.
The building was renamed the State Theater, when it was remodeled in the 1920s. It remained in business as a movie theater until the 1950s.[3]
The building is of special historic interest, and became a contributing property to the Virginia Commercial Historic District. At that time, the building was then purchased by the Laurentian Arts and Culture Alliance (LACA), with the intent to redevelop the building back to a functioning theater and arts centre.[4]
The restoration of the building is being done in phases, with funds coming from various sources. The current funding and redevelopment stage is seeking to restore the front facade of the exterior storefront, and add more exits to comply with ADA regulations, and modern building codes. Fundraising efforts have been steady and ongoing, with activities such as a GoFundMe page, as well as a summer Silent Film Festival fundraiser.[5]
While the main building is being restored, current events are being presented in the Lyric Annex building, next door to the main building. The Lyric Center is on track to become a regional hub for performing arts.
References
- ^ "Mnhs.org" (PDF). Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Cinematreasures.org". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Mnhs.org" (PDF). Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Mnhs.org" (PDF). Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Virginiamn.com/news/". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
External links
- Lyric Theatre at Cinematreasures.org
- Local news story about the Lyric Center by Fox21 of Duluth
- GoFundMe campaign for the Lyric Center
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