Opera houses might not be the first buildings that come to mind when you picture Maine, but our state is home to several of them. The oldest is Johnson Hall on Water Street in Gardiner; it was the twenty-first stop on my Maine Features adventure.

From the street, it is obvious that Johnson Hall is a performing arts center, but the building’s original purpose was far different than its present one. Built in the mid-1800s, the ground floor of the space first served as a livery stable — AKA a “parking garage for horses” — as executive artistic director Mike Miclon described during my visit. In 1864, the third floor was ready to be used as a hall. A flyer announcing the grand opening event stated, “A good time is guaranteed, and let there be a rousing turnout by the people.” The community responded with 500 in attendance on that first night.

Over the years, a great variety of events were held at Johnson Hall. There was no shortage of entertainment in the form of concerts, plays, formal balls, and exhibitions. Some of the featured performers were well known, such as General Tom Thumb — from the Barnum and Bailey Circus — who delighted a crowd in 1868. Other famous figures took to the stage for more serious speaking engagements, including abolitionist Frederick Douglass in 1872.

Like so many other establishments, Johnson Hall struggled in the mid-twentieth century and closed its doors in 1959. It appeared its glory days were over. However, after three decades of silence, a new chapter began with the opening of its Studio Theater in 1991.

Last season (2018-2019), 46 shows were held with thousands of attendees from 170 Maine communities, 35 states, and 4 countries! In addition to these events, a theater camp is offered for the next generation of performers, and outdoor summer concerts are held only a short walk away at the beautiful Gardiner Waterfront Park.

Tremendous efforts have been made to raise funds for an extensive renovation of the building, including a planned 400-seat theater on the 3rd floor. Despite its current state, this third floor room took my breath away when I reached the top of the stairs. It felt extraordinarily expansive. I was fascinated by the original walls which are covered in fabric.

The capital campaign to complete this transformation is being carefully tracked on a mounted whiteboard in the office. The day I visited, the total raised/pledged was $3,476,673! The goal is $4.9 million. Once reached, the construction process is expected to take a year to complete.

When crossing into Gardiner, a posted sign states that the town is a place “where history and progress meet.” From what I saw during this visit, it appears that meet-up is taking place center stage at Johnson Hall.

I’m on a mission to visit every town in Maine. Check here to see if I’ve featured yours yet: All The Visits. To learn more about this adventure, see the about page.