History of the Ironwood Theatre

The Ironwood Theatre was built as a vaudeville/silent movie palace in 1928 under the direction of architect Albert Nelson at a cost of $160,000.  Under the leadership of A.L. Pickar, the Theatre became the center of entertainment in the Ironwood area.  The Hollywood Golden Age of the 30s, 40s, and 50s followed the Great Depression.  In the 60s, the Ironwood Theatre was sold to Thomas Theatres of Iron Mountain.  The Theatre operated as a first-run movie house until its closing in 1982.

In 1982, owner Thomas Renn gave the Ironwood Theatre to the City of Ironwood through the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA).  Restoration efforts began at that time under the direction of the Ironwood Theatre Preservations Committee.  On January 11, 1985, the Ironwood Theatre was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

In 1986, the DIDA was awarded a grant by the State of Michigan, beginning an extensive renovation program that is ongoing.  Completed renovations include new seats in the main auditorium and balcony, carpeting, restoration of the ceiling mural, wall and beam decorations, as well as a new stage floor, heating, and a state of the art lighting and sound system, to name a few.  Restoration efforts at present include custom-made organ vent curtains funded by a grant from the Albert W. Cherne Foundation, and basement and ventilation improvement partly funded by the Michigan Council of the Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The Ironwood Theatre was incorporated in 1988 as an independent, non-profit cultural organization and the building is leased from the City of Ironwood.   The Ironwood Theatre assumes all operating costs and all maintenance and repairs to the facility.  

For more information, call the theatre office: (906) 932-0618

Old Depot Museum
150 North Lowell
PO Box 45
Ironwood, MI.  49938
906/932-1122 (phone)
906/932-2756 (fax)
email: chamber@ironwoodmi.org

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