Rogers Theater named a national historic site

 

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

A prominent part of Rogers City’s rich history will become the city’s second historic site.

Several months after its official nomination, the Rogers Theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, joining the Presque Isle County Historical Museum that was given the designation in 1991.

“What that means, going forward, we’ll have opportunities for grants that are related to historic preservation, and it also puts Rogers City on the map on the national level,” said Anne Belanger, Presque Isle District Library’s (PIDL’s) program and regional outreach director, who worked with the consulting firm Chris Riley, RESCOM to bring it together.

Administered in Michigan by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) , the National Register of Historic Places is the United States federal government’s official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance.

‘THIS HONORIFIC designation provides formal, federal recognition of a property’s historic significance and recognizes the historical importance of this property and its contributions to the history of your community, our state, and our country. Congratulations on this honor!” stated Ryan M. Schumaker in a letter from SHPO.

More than 96,000 properties across the U.S., including nearly 2,000 in Michigan, have been listed in the National Register since the program began in the 1960s. The National Register is a program of the National Park Service and is administered by individual states.

The Rogers Theater was constructed in 1937 as a classic, single-screen small-town movie palace in the art deco style. In the summer of 2009, exterior restoration brought back the orange and black tile work of the original facade.  Phase one of the north wall renovations were completed earlier this year and the new concession stand area opened in August, but more work is needed on the historic landmark.

“We have identified key projects,” said Belanger. “Right now, the next one in line is the outer lobby.”

“The outer red and inner yellow doors need to be repainted and restored,” said PIDL director Amber Alexander. “Right now, we need to shore up the flooring where the cracks are.”  There will be no changes to the ticket booth that actually survived the fire.

“We need to talk to a historic preservation contractor to see how we want to move forward with the walls,” added Alexander. “We either retain with what we have, or we restore it to the original plaster, like all other theaters are done.”

“THE BROWN paneling was added in the 1970s,” said theater manager Daniel Bielas. “It covers up a lot of what was original.”

“Once that is completed, we will move into the auditorium and that’s going to be major,” said Belanger.

The designation does not restrict PIDL from conducting any renovations such as replacing the remaining circa 1948 seats. 

“The thing we have to be conscious of is that you have to submit a plan to SHPO, and we will do that with the outer lobby,” said Belanger.

“The multi-phase restoration project needs donations for matching funds,” said Alexander.  “This historic theater is embraced by the community because it is a multi-use venue. It’s not just for screening films, but used for city surveys, forums, musicals, bands, weddings, school awards, pageants, dance recitals and so much more. This is the only venue in the county for those services in the community.”  Officials want to emphasize the importance of designating donations specifically to the Presque Isle District Library Rogers Theater as the continuation of fundraising is ongoing.  

Donations specific to the renovation project can be made by contacting the library director, Amber Alexander.