One hundred fifty-two years ago today, a dedication hop was hosted for the West Liberty Town Hall during its opening in 1869.
Tonight, Thursday, June 10, the West Liberty Historical Society hosts the community for another special event at this location from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring tours of the opera house, located on the second floor of the Town Hall, and lawn games to celebrate all of the progress on the opera house historical restoration.
Cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, lemonade and iced tea will be served for guests. Joy the Balloon Lady will attend from 7 to 8 p.m.
“Sharing the Opera House with the community has been the ultimate goal,” members said of the multi-purpose event space that they envision being available for activities such as wedding receptions, choir concerts, reunions, graduation parties, meetings, and even plays and public performances as well.
Phase III of the Town Hall Restoration project has focused on the restoration of the opera house, and Phase III’s original goal was to reach $600,000. With $453,500 raised from grants and donations so far, the organization is seeking to raise the final $146,500 to reach the goal.
During the event, area residents will be able to view a wish list and will have opportunities to provide financial support.
This spring, opera house renovations have included extensive on-site work with historical paint specialist Michael Blanck and his wife, Ann, to restore the original interior paint design. The Wisconsin-based pair began their work on the project about 1 1/2 years ago by conducting paint analysis research at the venue.
With their work now completed, the original intricate designs and stencil work are incorporated throughout the opera house’s walls and ceiling. Mrs. Blanck explained in a previous Examiner article that the paint appears to be 3-D by utilizing the painting technique trompe l’oeil, French for “to fool the eye.”
“I absolutely love doing this kind of work. In the 1870s, this trade/paint work existed to look inset, like crown molding,” she said of the ceiling design.
Also during the last year, repairs have been made to the interior walls and a missing staircase has been replaced.
Donations also can be made online at www.westlibertyhistory.com, or can be mailed to: West Liberty Historical Society, P.O. Box 159, West Liberty, OH, 43357.