historic homestake opera house

The Historic Homestake Opera House tour is a must for anyone visiting the Black Hills. It's well worth the time. Although the street construction makes it necessary to enter the Opera House from the back, that simply means that you'll see some of the historic photos as you enter. While the restoration after a devastating fire in 1984 is a long way from complete, there are many events and performances available throughout the year, all completely enjoyable and accessible. The acoustics in the Opera House are amazing. Thanks, Sarah, for the tour. I'd encourage anyone with a love of history to visit (and perhaps drop a little extra in the donation box to see this beautiful theater completely restored someday).

The tour I took of the Opera House was the highlight of my trip to the Black Hills. Sarah did a terrific job of explaining the history, the fire and the restoration of this beautiful opera house. You will learn the history of Lead and Homestake Mining Company because it is all tied up in the opera house....." The jewel of the Black Hills!

What a wonderful venue...it's a must see even for a tour or if you get the chance see one of the performances that take place on the stage, you won't regret it.

The docent for our visit was also a board member and had lots of information to impart about the origins, fire, and current restoration project. This was a complete recreation center in the big days of the Homestake mine, with bowling lanes below, a library, etc. They have come a long way in the restoration, which many parts of the building showing their original beauty, but they still have millions of dollars to raise and spend to complete the job. Plays, music, weddings, etc can be held here in the meantime. It is obviously very important to the residents of Lead as well as its historic importance.

Still a work in progress to restore following a devastating fire in the 1980s. However, much of the original architecture can been seen, and the exterior structure remains largely intact. A beautiful old building.

We're very glad you were able to attend the Champagne Variety Show, as it's one of our annual fundraisers we get to feature on the stage. The performers have a great time with it - especiall 'Lorrence Velk.' Thank you for the review. See you again soon.

Thank you for the review. We also know it will be gorgeous when fully completed - and we can't wait until that day. We appreciate the comments, and thank you for sharing the story.

This is an historic place that was built to give the Miner's in Lead a place to go and do things. It was first used as a recreation center for the miners. They have local musicals/plays performed there. On the tour, you will hear about the tragic fire in 1984 and see how they are refurbishing the building to make it the jewel of the Black Hills once again!

Thank you for sharing the story, and for taking a leisurely walk in downtown Lead. This large building truly is a 'diamond in the rough' with all of the rock, hills and trees to view from the steep city streets. See you again soon for a tour.

During a leisurely walk around the main street of Lead following our tour of the Homestake Mine, my wife and I discovered the Historic Homesake Opera House. A truly grand facility built by the Homestake Mining Company in 1914, as the Homestake Opera House and Recreation Center, suffered a devestating fire in 1984. After languishing for many years a group of dedicated local people took up the cause and formed a non-profit group called the Historic Homestake Opera House Society and have been working for a number of years to restore the building to its former self. The interior lobby has been restrored and is beautiful, marble wainscoating and tiffany lamps, and most of the infrastructure work has been accomplished including heat in the theater itself in this past year. Much needs to be done and the volunteer guide told us another 3 or 4 million dollars is needed to complete the full restoration. We wish this group continued success and hope to return to see the building again when it is fully restored. Who would have thought you would find a full opera house sitting in the middle of the beautiful Black Hills.

Si tuviese que recomendar un edificio para visitar en Lead , este sería el Historic Homestake Opera House. Es una interesante visita que te permite conocer la historia de Lead. Lo mejor las zonas del edificio que muestran elementos originales de la Opera House, que todavía está en proceso de restauración debido a un incendio ocurrido en 1980.Un saludo a todos los viajeros