Johnstown Opera House
The 325 seat Opera House on the second floor has hosted graduations, weddings, lectures, ceremonies, plays, variety shows, minstrels, concerts, plays, auctions, and speeches.
On a historical note, Ohio once had over 50 opera houses, but today, only five still exist: the Opera House on the second floor of the Johnstown Town Hall is one of them. The historically significant Johnstown Town Hall/Opera House is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. On January 1, 1885 it was dedicated “forever” to the village. At that time it was considered the civic center of the Village.
On July 10, 2010 the Johnstown Town Hall/Opera House was re-dedicated to the community. The cupola project, newly painted front doors and the restored bell was recognized at this ceremony.
On a historical note, Ohio once had over 50 opera houses, but today, only five still exist: the Opera House on the second floor of the Johnstown Town Hall is one of them. The historically significant Johnstown Town Hall/Opera House is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. On January 1, 1885 it was dedicated “forever” to the village. At that time it was considered the civic center of the Village.
On July 10, 2010 the Johnstown Town Hall/Opera House was re-dedicated to the community. The cupola project, newly painted front doors and the restored bell was recognized at this ceremony.
Johnstown Town Hall & Opera House & Cupola Restoration Project - 2010
The Johnstown Town Hall/Opera House Cupola Restoration Project involved the repair and new construction of the ornamental structure rising from the roof of the village’s town hall. This decorative cupola served as a belfry for over 125 years.
Due to the fact that there was considerable roof damage to the cupola and that the last repair job to the structure did not accurately replicate the original cupola a restoration project was initiated in 2008 by Downtown Johnstown, Inc.
Downtown Johnstown consulted with a number of professionals that included a structural engineer, an architect and a skilled carpenter. Blueprints, a materials list and a project budget were created for the restoration. Downtown Johnstown enlisted monetary help from local community contributors.
This funding allowed Downtown Johnstown to begin Phase I which included purchasing materials and constructing and reinforcing the roof structure. Lift costs for the crane used to install the new cupola on May 7, 2009 were also included in Phase I. In addition, there were many in-kind donations of time, labor and materials from community members and businesses.
Downtown Johnstown began Phase II in 2010 so as to complete the entire cupola project. Phase II involved the purchase and installation of four large windows, the finishing of exterior detail work and the installing of a support post to match existing posts. The work was completed during the summer of 2010.
The Johnstown Town Hall/Opera House Cupola Restoration Project involved the repair and new construction of the ornamental structure rising from the roof of the village’s town hall. This decorative cupola served as a belfry for over 125 years.
Due to the fact that there was considerable roof damage to the cupola and that the last repair job to the structure did not accurately replicate the original cupola a restoration project was initiated in 2008 by Downtown Johnstown, Inc.
Downtown Johnstown consulted with a number of professionals that included a structural engineer, an architect and a skilled carpenter. Blueprints, a materials list and a project budget were created for the restoration. Downtown Johnstown enlisted monetary help from local community contributors.
This funding allowed Downtown Johnstown to begin Phase I which included purchasing materials and constructing and reinforcing the roof structure. Lift costs for the crane used to install the new cupola on May 7, 2009 were also included in Phase I. In addition, there were many in-kind donations of time, labor and materials from community members and businesses.
Downtown Johnstown began Phase II in 2010 so as to complete the entire cupola project. Phase II involved the purchase and installation of four large windows, the finishing of exterior detail work and the installing of a support post to match existing posts. The work was completed during the summer of 2010.
