The Scribe - Page 11

The Scribe - Page 11HISTORY Rescue from the Rubble In 1983, a city task force investigated the Valentine Theatre, but concluded it was beyond repair, with a final recommendation to demolish the building. This decision came in the wake of the demolition of the historic Paramount Theatre, whose 1965 loss amplified preservation concerns. Advocates of the Valentine Theatre rallied under the banner ‘Friends of the Valentine’, leading community protests, exhibitions and tours of the theatre, as well as public testimony and media coverage, all in a desperate attempt to save the Valentine. Yet, while the Toledo City Council thankfully decided to postpone the demolition, the financial situation did not meaningfully improve, leading to additional deterioration over the 1980’s and early 90’s. Restoration and Return While the Valentine Theatre was originally closed in 1974, it was not until around 1996 that an ambitious restoration attempt was underway. To rebuild the theatre, a massive $28 million was gathered by the Ohio Cultural Facilities commission, as well as other private foundations. The restoration project rebuilt the stage house and fly system, restored and uncovered the murals and other original decorations, and refurbished nearly a thousand of the seats. This long, multi-million dollar effort finally resulted in the 1999 reopening and sold-out Toledo Opera performance. In modern times, the Valentine Theatre building serves as part of the Valentine Theatre Complex, benefiting over 50 local arts and cultural organizations, like the Toledo Symphony and Ballet. Once nearly reduced to rubble, the full-scale revival of the theatre stands as a testament to civic and cultural perseverance, having even been studied by the National Trust of Historic Preservation as a model of community-based revival for historical structures. Valentine Theatre in Downtown Toledo. Photo by Smithr1981, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.