Press Release

Restoration announcement

Date:9.21.10

COLDWATER, MI— Tibbits marked the 128th anniversary of the opening of the historic opera house on Tuesday, September 21, by introducing the architect who will be working on the façade restoration and also by recognizing Lucille and Dallas Dearth the single largest benefactors to the restoration to date. A dozen or so donors and volunteers were introduced to the slogan for this next portion of the Tibbits restoration campaign “Strip the Tibbits…What’s under the Brick?”

The Dearth gift made in 2002 remained anonymous until Lucille’s death earlier this year. On hand were Ross and Marilyn Byers, good friends of the Dearths. Ross spoke of Lucille’s generosity and her desire to benefit youth. Marilyn replaced the anonymous plaque on the donor board with a plaque listing Dallas and Lucille Dearth.

Ken Delaney, co-chair of the capital campaign along with Mary Smith, recognized several other gifts which came in this spring and summer to help propel the campaign to this point. Delaney recognized Dr. and Mrs. Robert Browne who made a $25,000 gift, Oak Prairie Farms, owned by Ron and Mel Hostetler and Brian and Nancy Nunemaker who pledged $25,000, Nunemakers also made an individual pledge, and the Mary Cross Tippmann Foundation made a $5000 gift. According to Delaney “These along with several other gifts and pledges have brought us within $162,000 of our $1 million mark. That dollar amount represents 100 percent of the match required for the Federal Scenic Byways grant of $500,000 and allows us to start the façade work.”

Christine Delaney, Executive Director introduced Tom Roberts, architect. Roberts was involved early in the Tibbits restoration effort working on the feasibility study and the design development drawings under architect Ed Francis and the firm of Kessler/Francis/Cordoza. Roberts, an accomplished historic architect now with his own firm was thrilled to be back working on the Tibbits project. He spoke of the importance of historic preservation and said when this façade is complete “it will bring national attention to the organization, the city, and the region.”

Roberts gave a quick overview of the process necessary to restore the façade. The process begins with carefully removing the four inches of outer brick to reveal the conditions underneath. A protective covering will be required while the analysis is completed, the details for restoration are determined, estimates for the work are finalized and the rest of the funds are raised. The goal is to return the theatre to its original 1882 architectural magnificence. Christine Delaney warned, “It won’t be very pretty for a while, but that will help us all focus on raising the final dollars so we can finish the work and restore this magnificent building given to us by Barton Smith Tibbits.”

For more information on the campaign, to make a gift or to volunteer call Tibbits at 517-278-6029 or go to www.Tibbits.org.