History:
The original Town Hall and Courthouse was built on this site in the center of Newport in 1872 and destroyed by fire in 1885. The impressive brick building was considered the focal element in Newport, both visually and functionally. The present building was completed in 1886 and featured many upgrades from the former structure. One of the jewels of the new building was the Opera House located on the second floor that housed a stage considered the largest north of Boston. The most up to date stage was designed by J.P. McElpatrick and Son of New York with scenery and permanent fixtures created by P. Dodd, Ackekrman and Company of Brooklyn.
The Newport Opera House soon became the center of entertainment in Sullivan County and patrons came from far away to enjoy the large variety of programs presented. The large hall played host to dances, boxing matches, weddings, political rallies, plays, school graduations, International Shoe Company Ladies’ Minstrel shows, magic shows, dance recitals, Firemen’s Annual Ball, Saturday night movies, Armelia Bloomer’s suffragette rally, John Philip Sousa’s Band, Winter Carnival activities, annual town meetings and elections. The flexible floor plan with large deacons benches allowed the floor to be arranged in any format. A wrap around balcony offered additional seating in more comfortable theatre type seats.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Newport Opera House Association is to provide affordable quality entertainment, diverse cultural events, and a sustainable creative outlet for the whole community within the historic Newport Opera House.
