Exciting developments are underway at Bellefontaine’s historic Holland Theatre, as a re-creation of its iconic marquee is under construction at Wagner Electric Sign Co. in Elyria.
Installation of the new marquee is set for spring, bringing back a beloved feature of this one-of-a-kind theater.
A capital campaign, Light Up the Holland, raised funds for the marquee’s re-creation, which will combine modern technology with the classic design that once adorned the building.
Stay tuned for updates and an official celebration date once the details are finalized.
The Holland Theatre, known as “Ohio’s Most Beautiful Theatre,” stands out among the National Register of Historic Places and the Theatre Historical Society of America’s listings.
Originally opened on February 12, 1931, as Schine’s Holland Theatre, the building was a grand 1,400-seat movie palace that featured the largest movie screen in Ohio at the time.
Designed by Dutch-born architect Peter M. Hulsken, the theater is the only atmospheric theater in the U.S. featuring 17th-century Dutch architecture, making it a true gem in American cinema history.
The atmosphere inside the theater evokes the feeling of being outdoors, with features such as a ceiling designed to resemble a night sky, complete with twinkling stars and moving clouds.
The auditorium showcases brick and timber-framed facades of known Dutch buildings, including the architect’s family home.
The theater’s grand opening night included the Ohio premiere of Stolen Heaven, and ticket prices were an affordable 40 cents for adults and 10 cents for children.
While the theater experienced challenges over the years, including being converted into a Movieplex and facing disrepair in the mid-1990s, a grassroots movement spearheaded by local sixth-grade students in 1999 saved the theater from demolition.
The Knowltons, local residents with fond memories of the theater, purchased and donated it to Logan County Landmark Preservation, Inc. to restore the Holland Theatre.
The multimillion-dollar restoration, completed in 2019 with generous support from local businesses, individuals, and the Jeffris Family Foundation, has ensured that the Holland Theatre remains a cultural hub for Bellefontaine and central Ohio.
As it continues to shine as a beacon in downtown Bellefontaine, this iconic theater will always be a place where history, culture, and community come together.
Find out what is happening at the Holland HERE.
