Ann Lefevre
@olivetreeann had arranged for us to visit Bent's Hall (or Bent's Opera House) in Medina, New York. Bill Fenske
@bill_fe who is visiting Niagara Falls of course came, too.
For many decades, Bent's Opera House was a prominent venue in Medina for concerts, plays, shows, commencements, elections, and other public functions. P. T. Barnum and William "Buffalo Bill" Cody were among the hundreds of touring performers who brought their talents to the Bent's stage.
this is the left part of the stage of the performance hall on the third floor. it is small by today's concert hall or stage concept yet the organizing committee to have this structure restored has a lot of work to do in order to restore this building to its former glory. but as with any old structure, it breathes history and it begs to be repaired, every existing bit of it. you enter here and you almost can feel the spirits of those who performed here, of those who came to watch and be entertained.
most of its intricate carvings, on banisters and cripples, top plates, bottom plates and headers are still intact and the peeling paint shows faint signs of drawings in its ceilings.
that old Gibbons & Stone cabinet piano had been there unattended since the late 1960's, unprotected from the cold of winter and heat of summer, and yet it still plays beautifully. some of its keys are permanently sunk as if unseen fingers were pressed on them.
imagine the place teeming with people. from time that had already passed wearing their fineries animated in their conversations, and the lights blinking, the signal that a play or concert is about to begin.
thank you for your kind visits and comments; know that they are truly appreciated.
