Calumet Theatre

The Calumet Theatre is a significant cultural and historical institution located at 340 Sixth Street, Calumet, Michigan. Established as an opera house to serve the thriving community during the peak of the copper mining industry in North America, the theatre opened its doors on March 20, 1900, with a touring Broadway production of Reginald DeKoven's "The Highwaymen." The venue quickly became a cultural hub, hosting a plethora of notable performers such as Madame Helena Modjeska, Lillian Russell, John Phillip Sousa, Sarah Bernhardt, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Lon Chaney, Sr., Jason Robards, Sr., James O'Neill, William S. Hart, Frank Morgan, Wallace and Noah Beery. The Village of Calumet, incorporated in 1875 and once the center of the copper mining industry, saw the construction of the Town Hall in 1886. By 1898, with a substantial surplus in the treasury and a population of approximately 4,000 (with over 30,000 within walking distance), the decision was made to build an opera house. The theatre thrived until the decline of copper mining and the local economy, coupled with the rise of motion pictures, led to a decrease in stage productions by the late 1920s. For several decades, it functioned almost exclusively as a movie theatre. In 1958, summer stock theatre returned and continued for nearly a decade, with a resurgence in 1972 under the auspices of Michigan State University. The auditorium underwent renovations for the village’s centennial in 1975, and the exterior was restored in 1988-89, along with technical and backstage improvements. The Calumet Theatre Company was incorporated in 1983 as an independent, non-profit cultural organization dedicated to programming events and promoting ongoing restoration efforts. It is leased from the Village of Calumet and operates without local tax support, relying on ticket sales, user fees, support from the State of Michigan through the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, membership dues, and other fundraising activities. Today, the theatre is a member-supported, volunteer-based organization with over 500 members, a 16-member Board of Directors, 8 employees, and more than a hundred volunteers. It hosts 55-65 events annually, drawing nearly 18,000 attendees and featuring a wide range of performing arts disciplines, including symphony, folk music, jazz, opera, theatre, dance, community events, as well as public meetings and guided tours. The Calumet Theatre is recognized as a National Historic Landmark since 1971 and has been a Heritage Site of the Keweenaw National Historical Park since 1993. It holds the distinction of being the only site within the park that still serves its original function as a performance venue. The theatre's commitment to cultural enrichment and preservation of history makes it a cherished landmark in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.