Nestled in the second-story of the West Liberty Town Hall, a hidden gem that once hosted spirited performances and served as a central hub of the community’s social life from the late 1800s to the 1950s is being restored to its historic glory so that it can be utilized by area residents once again and for future generations to come.
The West Liberty Opera House is currently undergoing extensive renovations to mirror historical documents and paint analysis from its opening days around 1870, undertaken by dedicated West Liberty Historical Society volunteers and local contractors.
One major transformation in the venue has been marked during the past five weeks while Michael Blanck, and his wife, Ann, of Blanck Studios, based in Wisconsin, have been on site to oversee the historic paint restoration process, reverting back to the performing arts center’s original look of intricate paint and stencil work on the walls and ceiling.
West Liberty Historical Society members visiting the opera house Tuesday marveled at how the nearly completed paint scheme on the ceiling now looks like it also incorporates crown molding. The design also incorporates swirling grape vines throughout the ceiling.
Mrs. Blanck explained that the painting 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,” she said. “In the 1870s, this trade/paint work existed to look inset, like crown molding.”
Additionally, ornate stencils are being applied to the walls of the space, with a second layer of the stencil being applied Tuesday.
“It was like an early kind of wallpaper,” Mrs. Blanck said. “It’s a beautiful design that includes a cabochon, or gem, in the center in an ombre coloring.”
“It’s amazing to watch it all come together,” historical society member Mary Newcomer remarked as she walked through the opera house. “It’s going to be very impressive.”
“We have loved watching the work of Michael and Ann over the last couple weeks that have completely changed this space,” fellow member Joyce Zilles said.
Starting about 1 1/2 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Blanck began a paint analysis of the venue while working alongside the historical society. The process involved the study of the opera house’s ceiling and walls from “the top to the bottom,” Mrs. Blanck said, noting that there were three layers of paint that they drilled through to get to the original layer and to determine a close match to the first paint colors.
With COVID-19 creating difficulties in supplies and contractors in the last year, Mrs. Blanck said there was somewhat of a delay for their in-person work at the West Liberty site, but in the end, she believes the process is well-worth the wait.
“The committee members appreciate this process. I applaud them for taking the time to invest in these discoveries and to bring this facility back to life,” she said, noting that Blanck Studios has completed other work during the past 10 years along the I-75 corridor in Ohio, including Logan County sites such as St. Patrick Church in Bellefontaine and at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Russells Point.
“In a tight-knit community, a restoration like this creates a buzz. Multi-purpose facilities like what they are creating here, they bring the community together.”
Related to the future possibilities for the space, the historical society members said with the Opera House restoration project well under way, they are hoping additional community members will provide input and assistance with the effort.
“Now is the time for citizens of all ages to step up and help make plans for the center and how we’ll use it,” Zilles said. “We invite anyone who would like to get involved to join in this effort and the planning. This is an important time as we’re finishing up the Opera House.”
Members noted that some of the future ways of the multi-purpose facility can serve the community include hosting events such as wedding receptions, choir concerts, reunions, graduation parties, meetings, and even plays and public performances as well.
With much of the historical paint restoration wrapping up this week, several other projects are on the horizon for the Opera House to ready it for use by the community once again, including: finishing the trim molding and renovations to the stage area, preserving the flooring and also restoring a 1902 piano that is original to the venue.
In recent weeks, local carpenter Kip Carter also has been working in the vestibule and ticketing area, and Tuesday was staining wood for the stairs leading up to the Opera House.
While the elevator is functional at the facility once again, it will need to be inspected prior to opening to the public as well, historical society members noted.
The Opera House is the third phase of the West Liberty Town Hall Restoration project that has been undertaken by the organization in recent years. Previous phases included extensive work to the town hall, including a new roof for the building; new historically correct windows and restoration of the bell tower; remodeling of the first floor to accommodate the office of the village clerk, Liberty Township meeting space, West Liberty Village Council meeting space; new public restrooms and landscaping; along with a new HVAC system for the building.
Funding for the project has been provided through a variety of personal and business donations, grants, and contributions by the Village of West Liberty and Liberty Township, historical society members said.
Fundraising continues to take place, with donations accepted through the organization’s website at www.westlibertyhistory.com.
The Historical Society provides updates via its website and Facebook page, and invites interested community members to contact Andrew Blount, (937) 887-8151, or Margaret Piatt, (937) 844-3902.