Pella Opera House

The Pella Opera House, originally constructed in 1900, stands as Pella’s first four-story structure, designed by architect Stanley De Gooyer and financed by Herman Rietveld. The current building replaced an earlier opera house built in 1860 and destroyed by fire in 1883. The new structure featured a theater, offices, and a grand staircase, with its inaugural play being "What Happened to Jones" in November 1900. Over the years, the Opera House hosted a variety of performances, including vaudeville acts and silent movies, until its closure in 1918. Subsequently, it served various purposes, including a rest room for the Women’s Federated Club and a produce business. The building underwent several ownership changes, with notable owners including members of the Harrah family. In 1988, the Pella Opera House Commission was established to restore the building, leading to a $2 million renovation and its reopening in 1990. Today, the Opera House functions as a cultural and educational hub, offering performances, rentals, and tours. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to serve the community by preserving its historical significance and providing quality arts entertainment.