Originally founded in January of 1824, Ann Arbor is a city that is full of history. From the arrival of the University of Michigan in 1837, to then Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy revealing his proposal for the Peace Corps on the steps of the Union in 1960, to the very first teach-in in the US against the Vietnam War in 1965, Ann Arbor has witnessed its fair share of memories. Just taking a walk through downtown and stopping to look at all the unique architecture will reveal that Ann Arbor is truly a historic city. In the midst of downtown, on East Liberty near State St., is one of Ann Arbor's historic gems, the Michigan Theater.
Angelo Poulos commissioned a Detroit architect, Maurice Finkel, to create his dream, "a grand vaudeville and movie palace in Ann Arbor," which would eventually become the Michigan Theater. Maurice Finkel voiced the hope that it would become "a Shrine to Art...not built for today only, but constructed in the hopes that it might be a monument for years to come, and a credit to the community even when the city is many times its present size." The Michigan Theater opened to the public on January 5, 1928, where vaudeville acts performed and silent films were accompanied live by the Barton Theater Pipe Organ or Karl Weiderhold's orchestra (until the arrival of "talkies," which resulted in the disbanding of the orchestra). During the 1930's and 40's the theater was home to live stage entertainment, including national touring theater and opera companies, though most people came to see movies. In 1956 the theater was "modernized" in an attempt to draw people away from their televisions and into the theater.
During the 1970's, the future of the Michigan Theater became "uncertain," when the Butterfield Theater Company (who owned it) decided to sell it, and rumors circulated that the theater might even be gutted (the inside of the building destroyed and removed) and converted into a shopping mall. Fortunately, the mayor of Ann Arbor convinced the city council to purchase it and dissolve its mortgage debt. 1982 brought the beginning of a three stage restoration and rehabilitation program for the theater. At the same time, the Barton Theater Pipe Organ, which is the original pipe organ installed in 1927, underwent restoration as well. At the time of its installment it was one of 7,000 placed in movie palaces between 1915 and 1930, and now it is one of fewer than 40 that remains in its original home and has never been altered. The organist, Steven Ball, who is currently employed by the Michigan Theater, is one of only six people in the world who hold positions as staff organists! (To read more about Steven Ball click here!) The most recent addition to the Michigan (as it is often referred to by locals) is the screening room located in the back of the building. In order to reach the screening room, you must first pass through the Ford Gallery of Ann Arbor Founders (as seen above), truly a walk through Ann Arbor's history. (For more on the history of the Michigan Theater click here! To learn more about the organ click here!)
The Michigan now plays many foreign and old films (from silent to musicals), and is the home of the Michigan Pops Orchestra, the Ann Arbor Film Festival, and the Ann Arbor Symphony. The Michigan Theater is very much a "shrine to art" and "a credit to the community" as its architect and founder hoped it would be, all these years later.
Have a great week, everyone, and I will see you at the Michigan...don't forget your popcorn!
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