Bellefontaine’s Holland Theatre, arguably the “grande dame” of the town, has been through a lot in her 90-plus years. She enjoyed her early days as a movie palace before moving into a state of disrepair, then passed hands twice. In the 1970s, they split her into a five-screen theater.
The years took their toll and, as she continued to show her age, the Holland faced her imminent demise … until a schoolteacher named Kris Swisher and her sixth-grade class decided the old girl was worth fighting for. And they succeeded, breathing new life into the Dutch-inspired structure.
Barely 20 years later, the area’s love and respect for the Holland led to a $1.3 million renovation, which was completed in 2019. Since then, thousands of music and theatre lovers have enjoyed concerts and shows in the starlit hall.
And yet, something’s missing. Not to hurt her feelings, but our grande dame needs a facelift.
“When you look at the Holland right now, it doesn’t make you want to go in,” Swisher, who now serves as the Holland board president, said. “But the new marquee will draw people to the beautiful inside.”
With that in mind, the Holland board kicked off a campaign on Friday, Nov. 4, to bring back the theatre’s iconic marquee, which was taken down in the 1950s because of street expansion.
The “Light Up the Holland” fundraiser seeks to raise $440,000 to meet a $220,000 Challenge Grant from the Jeffris Foundation. They have three years to get it done. Not to worry, though. Swisher anticipates raising the money in two. And, thanks to several generous donations, they’re well on their way.
One of those big announcements Friday evening came from Tonia Terebuh, who’s originally from the Netherlands and grew to love the Logan County area and, specifically, the Holland thanks to how it reminded her of her home country. With that in mind, she presented Swisher with a check for $100,000 toward the new theatre marquee.
Many Terebuh family members were also in attendance, including 10 of Tonia’s 12 grandchildren.
The marquee kick-off event, which aptly followed the Bellefontaine Best Hometown celebration, also included a slideshow presentation, an artist’s rendering of the new marquee, and comments from the marquee designer, Eric Wagner of Wagner Sign in Cleveland. Guests were invited to enjoy Dutch-themed refreshments and a showing of the 2001 film The Majestic after the program.
To participate in the fundraiser, message the Holland at [email protected] or call (937) 592-9002.
The campaign offers five levels of contribution, from $100 for a marquee lightbulb to $20,000 to sponsor a letter on the blade part of the sign.