News Release from Fort Recovery

News Event –  Open Doors Ohio at the Morvilius Opera House, Fort Recovery

What – Open Doors – Free Admission to the recently renovated 1883 Opera House

When -  Saturday, September 12.   12:30 – 3:00    

Where– 201 N Wayne Street (Corner of Wayne/St. Rt. 119) (Butler Street)

Information:  Call or Text: Nancy Knapke - 419-852-6110;  Carol Jutte - 419-852-2760

   Face Book :  Fort Recovery Morvilius Opera House; 

   Website:   FRMoperahouse@gmail.com 

The Morvilius Opera House is taking part in the Ohio Open Doors Initiative this Saturday, September 12 from 12:30 to 3:00.  There is no charge for admission to this recently renovated 1883 Opera House.  Individuals of the Opera House Committee will be on hand to share the 6 year process undertaken to revive this unmatched vintage beauty. 

The two story building is handicapped accessible.

In keeping with the statewide Open Doors Initiative, there is no admission charge.

Call 419-852-6110 for more information.

Although opera houses are not rare in the Midwest – a remaining element of the post-civil war effort to bring culture to the rural areas of the nascent United States – the one at Fort Recovery has been proclaimed by experts (Ted Ligibel of University of Ypsilanti, historic preservationist, for example) that they have never seen another that can compare with the Morvilius Opera House with its eleven life-sized hand-painted murals and four ceiling cameos!

 In addition, this opera house contains 35 original (1883) flats, 14 foot high scenes on rollers that were used as scenic backdrops for the myriad assortment of plays that took place there for nearly 50 years.  Wendy Wazut-Barrett PhD, artist, historian and opera house scenery preservation specialist has verified that Sosman and Landis, a scenic studio located in Chicago, (delivered stage scenery to over 6000 theaters,1800 -1902) was indeed the creator of Fort Recovery’s 35 flats.  Barrett declares these 35 compose the “best original flat collection in the country, perhaps the world.” She pointed out that it’s not the monetary value that makes them so valuable , but the cultural value that renders them priceless! 

This is just the beginning of the Fort Recovery Opera House story!