Perkins Opera House
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Perkins Opera House
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| Location | Monticello, Florida |
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| Coordinates | 30°32′41″N 83°52′15″W / 30.54472°N 83.87083°WCoordinates: 30°32′41″N 83°52′15″W / 30.54472°N 83.87083°W |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architectural style | Masonry Vernacular with Romanesque Revival elements |
| NRHP Reference # | 72000330 |
| Added to NRHP | September 14, 1972 |
The Perkins Opera House (also known as the Monticello Opera House) is a historic theatre in Monticello, Florida. It is located at the corner of Washington Street and Jefferson Street.
The Perkins Block was built in 1890 by Monticello businessman John H. Perkins. This building included three first floor bays housing Perkins' mercantile interests - a general store and sewing machine shop, a hardware store and a farm implement supply store. In addition, Perkins built a stable behind the building from which horses, mules and wagons were sold. The second floor of the Perkins Block included a large foyer and an opera house boasting unparalleled acoustics and the largest stage in the region.
Perkins had hopes of establishing the opera house as a major theater in the south. For several years, performances included both professional touring groups and local productions. Shortly after the turn of the century, however, the railroads were re-routed, by-passing Monticello. The wealthy patrons who had once wintered in South Georgia and North Florida sought destinations south of Thomasville and Monticello and the opera house faced financial disaster.
Unable to attract the once-popular theatre productions, Perkins discontinued live performances. A failed attempt to utilize the building as a movie theater led to the abandonment of the auditorium. Although the downstairs bays saw continuous occupation for a variety of uses, the opera house, with its sweeping stage and near-perfect acoustics, stood idle and soon fell into disrepair.
In 1972, the vision of a handful of interested people saved the opera house, with its falling plaster and leaking roof, from the destruction of the wrecker's ball. An organization was formed to provide opportunities for young performers and restore the opera house.
The Monticello Opera Company was formed in March of that year and performed at the first fund-raising event at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Phipps.
The purchase of the Perkins Block was consummated on October 17, 1973. On that date, the Monticello Opera House, Inc. purchased the building with money raised through fund-raising efforts, a grant from the State of Florida and a private donation from Mrs. Dorothy Simpson, who held one-half interest in the building.
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