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The
present W. C. Peterson Auditorium, a truly
fine facility in the Ishpeming High School,
is the “Second Edition.” The original
auditorium was constructed in 1909 in
basically the same configuration, less the
balcony. Similarities ended at that point
as the initial structure was occupied by
desks and served as an assembly hall for
Ishpeming High School (I.H.S.) students.
There were few professional performances,
and social events were somewhat limited to
class plays and graduation. Students entered
for morning roll and were dismissed at noon,
marching to piano accompaniment.
In 1930 a fire destroyed the high school complex along
with the auditorium/assembly hall, leaving
only the gymnasium and manual training
wings. Students attended classes in
makeshift classrooms scattered about the
community. The YMCA, church basements, lodge
halls and other sites hosted the youngsters
and their instructors.
The debris from this disastrous event had barely been
moved from the site before construction
crews undertook the task of rebuilding from
the ashes. In the middle of the Great
Depression a Phoenix arose! Craftsmen in
trades that no longer exist put the
finishing touches to the present auditorium,
and in the fall of 1931, one year and one
month after the calamitous fire, the entire
complex was opened to the returning
students. An interesting note: the original
seats, which you now occupy and which are
valued at over $250 each, were purchased at
a cost of $6.57 each!
It would be over a decade before this attractive venue
would start receiving its deserved
attention. George Quaal, a local merchant,
plunged headlong into the presentation of an
entertainment series in the 1942-43 season
and maintained it for the next 24 years.
Such notable Metropolitan Opera starts as
Marian Anderson, Jussi Bjoerling, Blanche
Thebom, Robert Merrill, Jan Peerce, Paul
Robeson, and Lauritz Melchior thrilled
patrons of the area.
Foreign countries sent their ambassadors:
The Vienna String Symphony, Tryoliers of
Austria, National Ballet of Finland, Little
Singers of Paris, Russia’s Don Cossacks,
Westminster Choir, the Singing Boys of
Norway, and more.
The rich variety included such favorites as the Roger
Wagner Choral, pianist Alec Templeton, The
Wayne King Orchestra, Arthur Rubenstein,
world-renowned violinist Isaac Stern, The
Chicago Symphony, and on, and on.
Mr. Quaal’s last presentation was on March
21, 1966. His legacy of fine musical
presentations lingers in the minds of many.
It would be over two decades before a
revival would take place. IN 1988, a
community/alumni fund drive led to a
restoration of the auditorium. Over $78,000
was spent in restoring the 1,142 seats. A
new lighting system, stage curtains, rigging
and lighting were also added at an estimated
total project cost of $200,000.
In 1991 the final stages of the restoration
were completed, including the lettering of
the auditorium to honor the long-serving
teacher/administrator of the school
district, William C. Peterson.
Since 1988, the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council (PAAC)
has worked diligently to present an on-going
cultural series. The series shares the stage
with such annual events as MusicFest,
Negaunee Male Chorus’ “Big Sing,” The Miss
Ishpeming Pageant, Allegro Christmas Show,
plus the performances of the Ishpeming
schools.
Our greatest support factor, however, is our patrons.
Through their attendance at programs and
their generous donations over the past
several years, we have accomplished a great
deal. We look for their continued support in
our effort to up-grade this fine facility.
Contributions this end can be made to:
Ishpeming School District – Auditorium
Fund
319 E. Division Street
Ishpeming, Michigan 49849
The Ishpeming School
District’s Board of Education and its
Auditorium Advisory Board are dedicated to
the continued up-grading and refinement of
this beautiful showplace. With your
continued support it will happen!
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