The
State Theatre has been a fixture in downtown
Kalamazoo since 1927. The original founder of
the theatre was Colonel William Butterfield.
John Eberson was the renowned architect who designed
the theatre. In line with theatre design conventions
of the era, the idea was to create a unique atmospheric
effect. The early roots of the theatre were found
in the Vaudevillian tradition of performance.
Many acts that frequented the State Theatre included
opera, dramas, big bands, ballet, dance reviews,
stage shows, and movies.
The
State Theatre was renovated in 1964. These renovations
included the removal of the original theatre sign
which was beginning to deteriorate with age. It
was replaced with a new marquee that is located
above what used to be the original box office.
These renovations changed some of the original
ornate look and feel of the theatre, but enabled
it to continue operating until 1982.
The
State Theatre was closed by W.S. Butterfield Theatre
Inc. that same year. The closing of such a historic
part of Kalamazoo began to mobilize community members.
Local arts groups and city officials formed the "Save
the State" committee in an effort to preserve
the theatre's legacy along with the building. The
solution came when the building was purchased in
1985 by the Hinman Company. The purchase brought
about further renovation and worked to preserve
a part of Kalamazoo's history.
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