In Sunday’s Parade Magazine, actress Sela Ward talks about her “obsession” with a boarded up 19th century opera house in her native Meridian MS. As a famous and influential actress, she has helped raise money to restore it.
Unfortunately, the Parade article itself is not on line, but these links give you a glance into this beautiful, vibrant performing arts center!
http://www.meridianms.org/2000project.htm
http://www.rileyfoundation.org/opra.htm
Kudos to Sela Ward for using her celebrity to protect these jewels of American History!
If only more movie stars with multi million dollar incomes would do the same. Some do I’m sure but prefer to fly under the radar.
There are some ca. 1930 pictures of the Grand Opera House/Grand Theatre in Meridian, MS at
http://www.saengeramusements.com/theatres/meridian/grand/mgrand.htm
The theatre is interesting in that it was operated by the Saenger chain which in 1928 opened the more modern Temple theatre in Meridian, & closed the Grand. Various events over time resulted in the Grand pretty much remaining sealed in its 1928 state until the restoration project got underway in 2000.