Page 72 - Demo

70could ask, Anita anticipated my question. %u201cOh, those. They were found when we cleaned up the bird droppings. A member of our group likes to collect animal skeletons, so we saved them.%u201d Of course.Our hostess next led us up onto the stage itself, and informed us, %u201cYou know, this building was called City Hall, but not because it held municipal offices. It never did. The name referred to this large hall, or opera house, with its expansive, flat seating area. It wasn%u2019t until 1882 that the tiers were added to the floor, and the stage was extended.%u201d Anita pointed to a tin-lined trough running all along the front edge of the stage, %u201cWe think that%u2019s where lime was burned to create a glowing bright light. You know%u2014limelight,%u201d she said, with a twinkle in her eye. Stepping back down, John set up his camera and start shooting, while Anita showed me the architectural plans the Society had had prepared. They were quite extensive: an addition would be built on the rear of the building for such modern amenities as a kitchen, elevators, rest rooms, and a grand lobby with a brand-new entrance. The third-floor opera-house space would be completely renovated, with its original level floor restored. That way, a dinner theater and wedding receptions could be accommodated. There would also be new dressing rooms, along with exhibition and archival display areas on the second floor. This was indeed ambitious, yet it was also doable%u2014if they could raise enough money. After the three of us descended back down to street level, Anita gave us a brief tour of some other historic downtown buildings. As we walked up to Delphi%u2019s former interurban station, she pointed downward, %u201cThat%u2019s Deer Creek, the one James Whitcomb Riley wrote about.%u201d Then, she beamed, %u201cHe was at our opera house on six occasions.%u201dDelphi Opera House (Stage.), Delphi%u2014Carroll Co. (787.11)Delphi Opera House (Backstage door.), Delphi%u2014Carroll Co. (787.12)