Tag Archives: Missouri Theatre

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J.W. “Blind” Boone historic home makes Columbia standout, boosts economy

Completing the renovation of the J.W. “Blind” Boone home at 10 N. Fourth St., got unanimous approval by the Columbia City Council on Monday, June 3, 2013.

The shell of the house was preserved, painted red and saved from termites and demolition by the purchase of the city in 2000 and subsequent work, but until last night, it needed another $326,000 to make it habitable and available for the many plans the J.W. “Blind” Boone Heritage Foundation has for it.

But perhaps the greatest plans for the house came during Second Ward Councilman Michael Trapp’s comments. He said historic structures such as the Boone home are fundamental to Columbia’s economic development, giving the city its own geographic, cultural and historic personality. “We’re not anywhere, any town,” he said during comments prior to the vote.

Trapp and others also called the home an inspiration. Boone, born in 1864 to a run away slave and U.S. Union bugler, was blinded at 6 months old, a step taken to save him from “brain fever.” Despite his handicap, Boone went on to learn to play music, later composing his own works and playing at concert halls throughout the nation, with some evidence he played internationally. He is credited with contributing to ragtime music, the forerunner of jazz, which led Anthony Stanton to note the global importance of Boone’s legacy, noting the global popularity of jazz.

The house could potentially give Columbia a bigger spot on two different maps. In presenting information on the Boone home, Columbia Parks and Recreation Director Mike Griggs said there is a movement to create a statewide music trail from St.Louis to Kansas City, and a civil rights trail, both of which would include the Boone home.

As Clyde Ruffin, president of the Heritage Board noted, Boone overcame two obstacles, disability and race. The city’s plan for the house calls for completing the interior renovations and then turning the building over to the J.W. “Blind” Boone Heritage Foundation.

Griggs noted the relationship would be like that of the city and the Boone County Historic Museum and Galleries. The city owns Maplewood, a historic home, and the surrounding park, but the facilities are managed by the Boone County Historical Society.

According to Ruffin, plans for the use of the building once it is renovated include a small display of Boone artifacts while the rest of the facility would be used for activities including instructional space.

No matter what happens in the future, the Boone home has already put Columbia on the map. The Blind Boone Ragtime Festival is held annually, this year June 10 and 11, 2013, in the Missouri Theatre. Also, the house where Boone lived from 1889 until his death in 1927 is on the National Register of Historic Places, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s stamp of approval for a nationally important site.

What historic sites in Columbia make it more than just a small college town to you, which historic place and buildings tell you Columbia is special? What historic places do you think contribute to Columbia’s economic development?

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Four easy ways to help shape history

Shaping history comes in, well, all shapes and sizes. Here are four ways to help shape Columbia’s history.

1. A Saturday, June 1, 2013 concert will let you hear history — and help to preserve and discover it. A second J.W. “Blind” Boone piano has been discovered. Boone was a classical and ragtime musician who lived from 1864-1927, and his home at 10 N. Fourth Street is under going renovation. From 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 1, the Boone County Historic Society will host a concert of classical and Boone compositions to be played by Sutu Forte and Friends on Boone’s Chickering concert grand piano. The event will raise funds to restore the upright piano. Suggested donations are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call the Boone County Museum and Galleries, 573-443-8936 for tickets or to make reservations. Credit cards accepted. The BCMG is located at 3801 Ponderosa St., Columbia.

2. A Monday, June 3, 2013 Public Hearing will let you weigh in on renovating the historic home of Boone. Built in 1889, it housed Boone and his wife until his death in 1927 and hers in 1931. More than a musician, Boone was also an amazing entrepreneur. He toured the country 10 months a year, often playing six days a week. In the 2012 book, “Merit, Not Sympathy, Wins: The Life and Times of Blind Boone,” John Davis estimates he earned roughly $3,600 to $14,375 a night in 2010 dollars. In 1980, the home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1998, it was named to Columbia’s Most Notable Properties list. The house was purchased by the City of Columbia in 2000, and since then the exterior has been renovated.

The notice about the public hearing notes the estimated costs of improvements to the interior and exterior of the home is $326,855. A quick scan of the local newspapers would reveal the wide range of opinions on this potential project.

The public hearing on the proposed plan will be held at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall at 701 E. Broadway.

Here is a photo of what it looked like prior to the city’s purchase.

Courtesy of Columbia’s Historic Preservation Commission and FitzImages Photography.

Courtesy of Columbia’s Historic Preservation Commission and FitzImages Photography.

3. June 9, 10, 11, 2013: The “Blind” Boone Early Jazz and Ragtime Festival will include the historic music of the  Boone era.  Performances will be held in the historic and recently renovated Missouri Theatre on Ninth Street in Columbia, Missouri. In addition to separate concert prices, there is a basic two-day pass for $100 and a three-day pass for $150, for four events and six events, respectively. The annual festival began in 1991 and are sponsored by the J.W. “Blind” Boone Foundation. For more information, see http://www.concertseries.org/event/blind-boone-early-jazz-ragtime-festival/ or call 573-882-3781.

Why is this concert series important? J.W. “Blind” Boone, the child of a run-away slave and U.S. Union bugler, played and composed ragtime music, as well as classical music. Many say he was the first person to bring popular, ragtime tunes to the concert stage, and his motto, despite being blind and African-American during a trying time, was “Merit, not sympathy, wins.”

4. Finally, one of the easiest ways to help preserve history is by joining the Boone County Museum and Galleries. Membership starts at $30 for individuals, $35 for families. The museum is open from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition to galleries and displays, the BCMG offers a wide range of activities and events, many of which are discounted for members.  The BCMG has a website and Facebook page to help you keep in touch with easy ways to help preserve history, get involved or just attend interesting events such as the upcoming concert. The BCMG is at 3801 Ponderosa St.
Columbia, MO 65201

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June 9, 10, 11, 2013 festival features historic music of J.W. “Blind” Boone era

On June 9, 10, and 11, 2013, you’ll be able to hear history with the music from the era of J.W. “Blind” Boone, who lived at the historic home at 10 N. Fourth St., which is currently being considered for interior renovations.

The “Blind” Boone Early Jazz and Ragtime Festival tickets are on sale now and tickets can be purchased here. Performances are in the historic and recently renovated Missouri Theatre on Ninth Street in Columbia, Missouri. In addition to separate concert prices, there is a basic two-day pass for $100 and a three-day pass for $150, for four events and six events, respectively.

The concerts are a short walk from Boone’s historic home at 10 N. Fourth Street, which has had its exterior renovated, but awaits further improvements.

The concerts are sponsored by the J.W. “Blind” Boone Foundation. For more information, see http://www.concertseries.org/event/blind-boone-early-jazz-ragtime-festival/

This year, the event includes The Launch as well as a Ragtime Bash, with proceeds from these two events slated to fund future “Blind” Boone Early Jazz and Ragtime Festivals.

Why is this concert series important? J.W. “Blind” Boone, the child of a run-away slave and U.S. Union bugler, lived from 1864-1927 and played and composed ragtime music, as well as classical music. Many say he was the first person to bring popular, ragtime tunes to the concert stage, and his motto, despite being blind and African-American during a trying time, was “Merit, not sympathy, wins.”

Here’s the schedule for the 2013 Blind Boone Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

4 p.m. — The Launch, Silent Film – $5 (or free with a Ragtime Bash ticket). Silent Film with Dennis James at the Organ and Frederick Hodges at the Piano

6 p.m. The Ragtime Bash! – $50 (includes a ticket for The Launch, Silent Film)

Monday, June 10, 2013

4 p.m. — The Young Turks Concert- $23

7:30 p.m. — A Tribute to Johnny Maddox – $33

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

5:30 p.m. – Piano and Organ Extravaganza – $23

7:30 p.m. – Sweet and Hot Duets – $33

 

For more information, see concertseries.org, or call 573-882-3781.

 

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June 11-13, 2012: See and hear history – Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival

On June 11, 12 and 13, 2012, you’ll have a chance to see — and hear — history. The Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival includes concerts as well as free, open to the public events.

But where’s the history? What’s the historic home part of this festival? Ah, I can answer that.

1. Ragtime music, made popular by Columbia resident J.W. “Blind” Boone, 1864-1927, ushered in jazz. As part of the festival, his partially renovated home at 10 N. Fourth Street will be toured. The tour is set for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places. The house dates back to 1891, according to the NRHP document.

2. Many of the events of the festival itself will be held in another historic building — The Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts at 203 S. Ninth Street. Built in 1928, the building under went a $10 million renovation in 2007-2008. The Missouri Theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The concerts cost $25 to $30, but the schedule of events includes the free to the public events below:

Monday, June 11th

  • Afternoon Music Fair - At the Missouri Theatre from 10am – 12 Noon
  • Afternoon Tour - At the Boone County Historical Society Museum at 1:30pm
  • Monday Afternoon Seminar - Mitch Meador presents Arranging for the 21st Century orchestration At the Missouri Theatre at 3:15pm

Tuesday, June 12th

  • Daytime Music Fair - At the Missouri Theatre from 10am – 12 Noon

Wednesday, June 13th

  • Afternoon Music Fair - At the Missouri Theatre from 10am – 12 Noon
  • Afternoon Tour - At the partially historically restored Home of John William Boone. Located at: 10 North 4th Street – starts at 1:30pm
  • Afternoon Seminar - The team that brought about the republication of Melissa Fuell’s 1915 Blind Boone biography: Mary Barile, Christine Montgomery, Mike Shaw, Greg Olson, and Max Morath. At the Missouri Theatre at 3:15pm
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Historic buildings uses, owners change

The Missouri Theatre opened in 1928 and initially performances included music, a newsreel, cartoon, dancing and a feature film.

Then, over the years, the theatre’s functions changed, featuring only films for a time, then it nearly faced destruction in the 1980s.

This Sept. 11, 2011 article in the Columbia Daily Tribune outlines the many changes of the theatre and its owners.

From 1928 until today, the Missouri Theatre has had many owners as well. When it was named to the National Register of Historic Places, the building was owned by Shirley Stone Cox, according to the nomination form, which outlines the buildings notable features.

Now, the Missouri Theatre is leased by the University of Missouri-Columbia, with an option to purchase it at the end of the three-year lease agreement.

While historic buildings remain, their uses change with the times, but in this case, it seems the use will return to its multiple uses of its origins and its most recent use of a venue for performances, films and music, no longer just a movie theatre, its use from 1953-1983.

 

 

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Missouri Theatre to be leased by University of Missouri-Columbia

Deb Sheals, a historic preservation consultant, said it best: Saving a historic building requires putting it to work.

Now, the Missouri Theatre will be put to work by the University of Missouri. This article by the Columbia Daily Tribune notes that the manager of MU’s Jesse Hall plans to put the Missouri Theatre to work. He notes in the article that he often turns away performances and now MU will have another venue.

This is great news, as the Missouri Theatre has struggled under the cloud of debt, federal tax credits and changing management.

The theatre began life in 1928. In 1953, it was leased to Commonwealth and operated as a movie theater until 1987. It was then purchased by the Missouri Symphony Society and renovated in 2006. For more information on the history of theaters in Columbia, see this June 25, 2010 article published in the Columbia Business Times.

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Missouri Theatre’s new leader

Commitment. Optimism. Hope for the 1,100-seat beauty that is the Missouri Theatre.

That’s what I read in the Jan. 30, 2011 article by Lynn Israel in the Columbia Daily Tribune, which quoted Carole Sue DeLaite, new co-president of the Missouri Symphony Society board. Plans continue to be “made to keep the stage filled,” the article continued.

Keeping the stage filled includes the next event, a Feb. 26 concert with the Columbia Civic Orchestra and a Feb. 27 event with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Reservations can be made at 875.0600 or via the website at motheatre.org. The theatre is also, said DeLaite, available for events. The article quotes her as saying, “… we want to work with all the local arts organizations on a case-by-case basis to enable them to use the theater because, you know, we all saw this as a community resource, and we want to continue that.”

Jan. 30, 2011, Missouri Theatre names new leaders…”, Columbia Daily Tribune. Carole Sue DeLaite, new co-president of the Missouri Symphony Society board, said plans for keeping the theatre open are being made.

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A nude calendar in Columbia’s future?

Every day it seems Columbia faces yet another historic building that is seeking financial support — the Missouri Theatre, the Blind Boone home and perhaps, one day the Annie Fisher home.

But in Rapid City, South Dakota, they’ve taken action and taken off their clothing for historic buildings. Twelve business men have posed nude for a fund-raising calendar which highlights historic buildings.

This article describes this effort of Rapid City business men to support the historic preservation efforts of their city. The article notes a similar effort in Oregon raised $250,000 for historic renovation and preservation.

The article notes two important things: 1) Few people asked to help turned down the request; 2) Those involved said it was important that people look for new and fun ways to raise money for such important ventures.

Even if such an effort raised $250,000 here in Columbia, it wouldn’t solve all of the Missouri Theatre’s $2.5 million debt problem, but it would be a big step forward.

I think it’s a great idea and would love to buy such a calendar here in Columbia, Missouri.

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/article_fc31401a-0590-11e0-bac5-001cc4c002e0.html

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Missouri Theatre – Tough Luck, Mary Todd Lincoln’s cousin

In 2008, the Missouri Theatre, now called the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, under went a $10 million renovation, again becoming the jewel of downtown Columbia.

But with every gain, sometimes comes a loss — as in the case of the 1928 construction of the Missouri Theatre.

Named in 1979 to the National Register of Historic Places, the Missouri Theatre is a shining example of the architecture of cinemas that began in France around 1894, according to the National Register of Historic Places document nominating the Missouri Theatre to the Register.

” …  ‘Cathedral of the Motion Picture (architecture) …  created, or tried to create a world of its own, more fantastic than any ordinary citizen of an industrial society could have ever seen — and it was available to all for just 25 cents,” the NRHP document notes. 

The Columbia, Missouri, theatre, was the only pre-Depression movie palace built in central Missouri, and is a ”fine example of the restrained yet elegant style of the Boller Brothers of Kansas City, Missouri,” notes the  NRHP document.

Yet, one might wonder what was there on that site before the Missouri Theatre.

A footnote in the historic document reveals the theatre was built on the site of the 1841 home of  Robert L. Todd, which was first occupied by G.D. Foote, the builder of Academic Hall. Todd was the first cousin of Mary Todd Lincoln and one of the first two students to graduate from the University of Missouri.

The house was torn down to make way for the theatre.

The company that built the Missouri Theatre was created for that purpose — to finance and build the Missouri Theatre. The company was headed up by J.D. Stone of Columbia, the son of Elvira and Josiah Stone of Columbia.  Josiah Stone was responsible for building the Columbia Theatre at 1101 E. Broadway, which currently houses an Indian restaurant  and luxury apartments, and the Elvira Building at 1109 E. Broadway, which currently houses Willie’s Field House, a sports bar.

On October 5, 1928, the Missouri Theatre opened to a capacity crowd offering a varied program, as was the norm for the day. It featured the Missouri Orchestra, the Missouri Rocket Girls, a newsreel, cartoon and “Steamboat Bill, Jr.,” feature with Buster Keaton and Ernest Torrence as well as ”obscure comedian named Bob Hope, who was not even billed,” the historic document continues.

According to the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts website, an full-page ad in the October 4, 1928 Columbia Tribune proclaimed: “Formal Opening of your new Missouri Theatre-Friday Evening … A $400,000 Showhouse of Unrivaled Beauty and Extravagant Setting in Central Missouri. The Magnificent Splendor of This Palace of Amusement Will Dazzle and Thrill You.” The website goes on to note that at that time, the price of admission was 25 cents for matinees, 25 cents for the balcony and 35 cents for the floor seats for evening shows. Children’s tickets were 10 cents at all times.

The NRHP document notes in the footnotes the economic impact of movies during this time period. Moving pictures made up the fourth largest industry in the United States by the mid-1920s. “By 1927, there were 20,500 theaters in this country with a total seating capacity of 18 million,” states a footnote in the document.

But as vaudeville and live entertainment attendance waned, the Missouri Theatre was transformed into a simple movie theatre.

In 1953, Commonwealth Theatres leased the building and remodeled it extensively. In 1968, the facade and shops under went remodeling. In the 1979 historic document, it states the building is excellent condition and Commonwealth’s lease had been recently renewed. When the owner, who lived in California visited around the time the National Register nomination was being written, the document notes, ”local preservationists … urged her to continue operation of the theatre due to the importance of its interior decoration. Since the theatre is still a money-making concern, she responded favorably to these requests.”

At the time, the retail space surrounding the theatre housed Woody’s Mens’ Furnishings, Car Tunes, Telegift, Et Cetera Gifts, Second Nature Health Foods and Allens’ Flowers.

However, between the time of the 1979 nomination to the National Register and 1983, the theatre ceased being a “money-making” venture for Commonwealth due to the development of multi-screen cinemas, the MTCA website notes.

On Jan. 7, 1988, the Missouri Symphony Society (MOSS) bought the 1209-seat theatre, according to the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts website, “to serve as the home venue for the orchestra.”

In 2007, the Missouri Theatre launched a fund-raising effort and renovation project as described in a Dec. 21, 2008 Columbia Tribune article written by Lynn Israel:

“The marvelously maddening, sweat-filled, 10-month, $10 million renovation of this jewel was the talk of the town when David White III and his hardworking staff opened the doors in a May 21 gala with champagne, circus acrobats, vintage films and Charles Digges Sr., who attended the theater’s 1928 opening night at age 9. The work included burnishing the chandelier, new seating, a restored proscenium, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, and — gasp! more restrooms. Only legendary singer Tony Bennett could do justice to such an event, and he did not disappoint.”

Despite these accolades, all was not well. In June 2009, White resigned “amid a flurry of lawsuits over the arts center’s unpaid bills and lingering debt from the theater’s $10 million restoration project,” noted a June 2, 2009, Columbia Daily Tribune article written by Jodie Jackson Jr.

Today, the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts seats 1,216, and its website notes, serves as a performing arts venue hosting events such as ”the annual Mozart-Higday Music Trust series, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series, the Boone Heritage Foundation Ragtime Festival, and First Night Columbia.”

The MTCA’s website lists the following organizations as having a home at the Missouri Theatre: Boonslick Chordbusters, Columbia Chorale, Columbia Civic Orchestra, Junior Strings, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Missouri Symphony Conservatory, Missouri Symphony Orchestra, the Missouri Symphony, Missouri Technical Theater Institute, MOSSCC (MOSS Children’s Chorus), MOSSYO (MOSS Youth Orchestra), Ragtag Cinema’s Missouri Theatre Film Series, Show-Me Opera, The Blue Note, Treblemakers and the Women’s Symphony League

Today, the retail space houses the Columbia Art League on one side and Yogoluv, a frozen yogurt shop on the other side. 

So while the Missouri Theatre could have gone the way of Todd’s home, it didn’t. And we can all once again enjoy the jewel of Columbia.

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National Register Listings

Columbia has 19 properties listed on National Historic Register and on the Columbia Notable Properties list.

For example, the David Guitar House, also known as Confederate Hill, is on the list.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources web site also has detailed information for many of these properties.

The properties on Columbia’s Notable Properties List and on the National Register include:

  • John W. “Blind” Boone House, Fourth Street
  • Central Dairy Building, 1104-1106 E. Broadway
  • Columbia Cemetery, 30 E. Broadway
  • Columbia National Guard Armory, 701 E. Ash St.
  • East Campus Neighborhood Historic District, bounded by Bouchelle, College, University and High Streets.
  • Sanford F. Conley House, 602 Sanford Place
  • Samuel H. and Isabel Smith House, 315 N. 10th St., now Koonse Glass.
  • First Christian Church, 101 N. 10th St.
  • Greenwood Heights, 3005 Mexico Gravel Road
  • Hamilton-Brown Shoe Factory, 1123 Wilkes Blvd.
  • Maplewood, Nifong and Ponderosa Drive
  • Missouri State Teachers Association, 407 S. Sixth St.
  • Missouri Theatre, 201-215 S. Ninth St.
  • Second Baptist Church, 407 E. Fifth St.
  • Senior Hall at Stephens College
  • John N. and Elizabeth Taylor House, 716 W. Broadway, now a bed and breakfast
  • Tiger Hotel, 23. S. Eighth St., which is now a special events venue
  • Virginia Building, 111 S. Ninth St.
  • Wabash Railroad Station and Freight House, 126 N. 10th St., now the bus depot for the city of Columbia.