Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-24
TOGUS OPERA HOUSE.
The Home Possesses Cne of Best
Halls in New England.
When Built-Iis sisge-Its Seating Capacity
Items Of Personal interest.

ToGUs, Aug. 23.-tSpeciaD Previous
to the winter of 1892, all theatrical enter
tainments were held in Amusement hall,
now used as the library. With the increase
of membership at the Home, a larger aud
more suitable building for entertainments
and meetings was much needed. The mat
ter had been talked over and thought over
for some time, and finally, in 1891, ground
was broken for what is now the Opera
house. 1t was not completed, | believe,
until the month of February, 1892, and the
first entertainment was given in March,
1892, by Lucier's Minstrels.
The building stands In prominent posi-
ton on Roekland street, opposite the old
Amusement hall, and is easy of access from
all parts of the Home. 1t is of composite
architecture, with an imposing front. sur
mounted by twin towers on each side of the
vestibule. The design was by +. Z. Lewis,
architect of Gardiner, with suggestions by
the Governor of the Home.
The interior is neat cosy and attractive.
The decorations, except the proscenium
arch, the scenery and curtain. were done
lone under the immediate supervision of
Thomas F. Carney, who has charge of all
painting and decorative work here. His
work was spoken of in my last.
1t has as finely an equipped stage as
can be found outside of Boston. 1t is large
and roomy, affording plenty of space for
the presentation of any play, and some of
the best companies play here during the
season.
The scenery was painted by Couch and
Graham of Boston, and is beautiful, and
of sufficient variety that large number of
.lifferent scenes can be admirably set. The
dressing rooms are ample and very conven-
lent.
The seating capacity is about 1900, and
the orchestra seats are especially comfort
sble and easy-all the seats are comfort
able. There are three exits and the house
can be cleared in about ten minutes.
Besides theatrical entertainment during the
winter months. Prof. Themes orchestra
gives highly enjoyable concerts each evening
are free to all. The Opera house is thor
oughly appreciated and is spoken of in
terms of highest praise by all theatrical Or
CARNATIONS which visit here.
At this season of the year there
are many visitors here every day,
end the register in the library
bears many names Of note. Some testify
as to their impressions of things seen here.
Rev. A. j. Snyder, Biddeford, recently
wrote: 81 am surprised and delighted with
things here"
Miss Fanny r. Dudley, superintendent
of nurses at Danvers hospital, Danvers,
Mass, .How very clean and orderly"
Sister Elsa of St. Margaret's, Boston, is
guest at Gov. Stepbenson's, and will remain
several days.
Mr. and Mrs. J. II. Pinkham of Dover,
Me-, are here visiting Mrs. Pinkbam's
father, Major Anderson. Also John w.
Anderson son of the major, is at home for
q brief rest. He graduated from Bowdoin
last spring, and will commence the study Of
law this fall
Miss Marie and Arthur Louis Theme,
daughter and son of Prof. Theme, will psy
q return visit to their cousins, the Misses
Dohrng of North Attleboro, Mass, who
have been at the professors for few weeks
past.
Lieut.. Dick Archer of Co. d, arrived
back, this morning, looking finely after
short visit to friends in Massachusetts.
T. Lieut.. McGovern of Co. Z, is also back,
brown as berry, from Eastport and sur
rounding towns. So they come and go.
Number on morning report, 1888. Num-
Der of patients in hospital, 257.
Died. Aug. 81. Henry A. Good, Co. c.,
4th California. Aug. %, Thomas Carney,
United States Navy.