Downtown – Howell, Michigan

Isaac Kremer/ January 29, 2012/ downtown, Field Notes, Physical, preservation

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We had time for only a glossary/short/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="a4c91349e45f9140ef5bfb34ddcf0dca" target="_blank" >short visit to Howell. One of the highlights was visiting the Howell Opera House, built in 1881, and undergoing a rehabilitation in 2012 when we visited.

This handsome three story building had a prominent location downtown. As was typical the theater proper was one the upper floors. To assist with the rehabilitation of the building, the ground-floor/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="0bd3e9a7406c0906583ae59b501af8e8" target="_blank" >ground floor was converted for use as a performance and public gathering space for parties and events. This ground floor activation brought the building to life, raised money, and kept the larger preservation project in the public consciousness.

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In the theater proper on the 2nd and 3rd floors, many of the details were still intact including the stage and horseshoe balcony. Other insensitive alternations were evident including the patchwork on the ceiling.

One detail we liked very much were the gas lamps on the side walls. One can easily imagine the glow of the live flame.

The next morning we took in the historic downtown, including plentiful two-story buildings, each with distinctive architectural detailing.

There was even a handsome three story building with Italianate detail including the window hoods and corbelled cornice. Regrettably some of the windows were insensitively replaced with more modern windows in the medallion/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="557374c3eebbede5d82414433d1f21e7" target="_blank" >center.