Ramsdell Theatre: Past, Present & Future
Restoration |  Theatre History |  Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell |  Location
				The Theatre opened on September 4, 1903 with a performance of "A Chinese Honeymoon" which had been a smash hit on Broadway. The Shubert's New York Casino Theatre company of 100 persons came to Manistee by train with two car loads of scenery at a cost of $2,500, which included $1,200 for the chartered train. Main floor ticket prices were $5 and $10. After the musical performance a gala ball was held in the Assembly Hall. A photograph of the opening night audience and a "Chinese Honeymoon" poster are located in the theatre. 1903 through 1909 were good years at the Ramsdell with over 100 plays presented by traveling companies that brought many theatre stars to Manistee. Attendance started to drop in 1910 due to lumbering industry slowdowns and World War I. The theatre went dark in 1918. In 1923, with both Mr. & Mrs. Ramsdell dead, the estate considered demolishing the building due to high maintenance costs. In 1925 a group of Rotarians purchased the building for $25,000 to save it from demolition. Until 1929 movies were shown at the theatre, along with the production of several high school plays. In 1930 the Butterfield movie company leased the building and kept it dark until 1937 to eliminate competition to its local movie house. Starting in 1937 the local Kiwanis club put on shows that led to formation of the Manistee Civic Players (MCP) in 1939. In 1941 the City leased the building from the Rotarians under terms that would result in City ownership after twelve years. At the beginning of World War II the theatre side went dark for nine more years and continued to suffer water damage and general deterioration. From 1942 to 1982 the Manistee Recreation Association used the non-theatre side of the building for youth activities. In 1949 a group of local women formed the Civic Betterment Committee to "restore the Ramsdell theatre and see legitimate theatre on its stage again". This evolved into the Manistee Drama Festival, Inc. which started an eight week summer stock season in 1951 that lasted for 13 years. The MCP reorganized in 1952 and presented "The Petrified Forest" during the summer stock off-season. The MCP produced its' first musical, "Guys & Dolls" in 1963. In 1964 it was decided to end the summer stock program that used outside professional talent and to start a year-round season of locally produced shows including musicals. The Manistee Civic Players absorbed the Manistee Drama Festival into their organization. In 1974 the MCP leased the theatre portion of the building from the City and currently leases the entire structure. The MCP is presently continuing its 40 year history of conducting workshops, children's plays and student drama classes besides producing its own shows. It also sponsors music and dance programs, lectures, talent shows, variety shows, seminars, school productions, etc. To date the MCP has presented over 50 musical shows using local talent. It is safe to say that the Ramsdell stage has been home to over 1,000 shows. Since 1995 the Ramsdell has been home for the Manistee Art Institute, an all volunteer organization that presents art exhibits in the T. Walter Hardy Exhibit Hall
Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell | 1833 - 1917

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