The Calumet Theatre restored the light at the top theater over the weekend. The chandelier glistens and sparkles with more than 1800 settings, and thousands of crystals. The project took close to two years to fundraise, research, order, and install. But it’s all worth it to continue to restore Calumet’s place in Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
I mean, it is a jewel of the Keweenaw. It’s a jewel of the copper country. And it’s the heart of the village of Calumet. – Megan Haselden, Village Manager, Village of Calumet
This is shedding light on all kinds of things around the theater. This was just the first major thing that we’ve done in some time. And the idea is to get people to be aware that they can come in, they can do stuff, they can make things happen here. – Dan Jamison, president, of the Calumet Theatre Board of Directors
Village manager Megan Hasleden walks into the village offices, attached to the calumet theatre, every day. Saturday evening she remarked on the activity happening before the chandelier raising even started, seeing many people walking around the downtown.
And to be able to be part of it, and to be able to be part of it at such a significant time, to become a part of history as we raise the chandelier for the first time again since 1918, it’s just phenomenal. It’s a wonderful place to come and work and hang out. – Megan Haselden, Village Manager, Village of Calumet
Calumet Theatre Board President Dan Jamison says the energy the project brought to the board, volunteers, and members, could not have happened without an entire community’s commitment. Earlier in the year the theater was able to install a new boiler, which Jamison adds will become key to other restoration projects.
Fix all the pipes, change some of the valving, things of that nature, so that that runs efficiently. And then we’re going to try and figure out how to put steam into the second-floor ballroom on the other side so we can restore the radiators and take those big blowers out of the corner. And I think we’ll have something when we get that restored. – Dan Jamison, president, the Calumet Theatre Board of Directors
The Calumet Theater opened its doors for the first time on March 20th, 1900. A little more than 100 years after a fire destroyed a chandelier the light has been restored thanks to the community. The Calumet Theatre plans to have more activities happening over the summer and throughout the fall for friends and families to enjoy. Those interested in learning more about the theatre’s history or schedule can find more details online.
