Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-24
new OPERA HOUSE
Will Probably Be Built within the
Coming Year.
Located on Pearl street, just West of
the Masonic Temple, II VIII BE m
Up-to-Dnte Structure with stage
Large Enough for All Dema n ds.

That Burlington will have a new opera
mouse within the coming year and that 1t
VIII be structure large enough to ac-
collmodatc State conventions and other
podleS that may wish to meet in Buring
ION Is almost a certainty. The matter
OF "a new opera house or music hall has
boen under discussion to a greater or less
extent for period of two or three years
ana on one occasion tho plan was near
contamination. Tho most recent plan was
Drought about by A. f.. Richardson and
as a result charter for a corporation to
build an opera house will be secured in
the near future. Among the incorpora-
tors VIII be Mr.. Richardson, IL. w. Allen,
Ellas Lyman, Henry Greene. J. J. Flynn,
". b. McKillip. L. II. Turk and w. II.
lottman. 1t is planned to have the char
Ter provide for a capitalization of $50. 600,
with the privilege Of increasing 1t to sl00
900.
The matter was received very favora bly,
by the men who were approached and they
include many whose names will not APP
pear as incorporators. Tho money will
not all be raised in Burlington but several
wealthy men. who are Interested in the
city have slgnfcd their willingness to
take large blocks of the stock SO that the
erection of the building seems to be Il
certainty.
In speaking of the project last night
one OF the incorporators said that the
plans had not been fully arranged but that
as soon as the holidays were over u
meeting would be held and the details
| considered.
The location of the building will be on
the pottery lot on Pearl street. just west OF
| the Masonic Temple. The land is owned
by Mr.. Richardson and will be conveyed
to the corporation for the same amount
nc paid for 1t. The lot is "A large one and
will permit of a driveway entirely around
the building and Will also permit of en-
frances from Pearl and St. Paul streets
| The plans contemplate a building devoted
entirely to the purposes of an opera house
and convention hall. It will be on the
ground floor, will be fire proof and there
will be 10 other rooms in the structure
except those to be used for the offices
needed in connection with running the
establishment The building will proba
bly, be built of brick.
1t is planned to have an opera house
with a seating capacity large enough &c
accommodate the demands of the city and
with stage big enough for the presenta-
ton of any show on the road. In order
TO make the place available for conven-
tions and such meetings as will attract
immense numbers of people an annex will
be provided that can be thrown open al
Will.
The opera house will not be built ex
pressly for the musical festival. although
ii is probable that the festival Will be
held there. The plan is to make the build
ing ono that the city needs. an up-to -da t.
opera house The plans for the structur
will be drawn as soon as it is decided just
what is wanted.
The incorporators go into the scheme
with the understanding that the Howard
Opera House will be closed when a new
place for amusement enterprises is open
ed. One of the directors of the Howard
Opera House was asked last evening II
that house would be closed when the pres
ent lease expires. He said that he coulc
say nothing definite on the subject a.
present but that the directors had fell
that whenever another place was provid
ed they would close the Howard IL,
said it had been kept open because the
directors felt that the people Of the city
desired some such place.
The Howard Opera House is now owned
| by the Home for Destitute Children Il
| being gift to that institution by the late
| John =. Howard. The excessive insurance
rates on the property have long been
| burden to the merchants occupying store
| in the building and the creation of th'
! upper part into offices or halls would bi
| gladly welcomed by them. The opera
! house has long been considered made
| duate for the demands. tho stage bent
/ especially inConVenient, many shows BENZ
| unable 10 stage their plays as they shoult
because Of lack of room. All of these In
| conVenieuces Will be overcome in the ne"
| house.
| II IS expected that the charter for thu
new CORPORATION will be procured within
| the next few days and soon thereafter
the plans in detail will he arranged anc
| do nnhIig