E.E. Warren Opera House Association
The Warren Cultural Center serves as a catalyst for culture, tourism, and economic development.
Greenfield, population 2100, is the county seat in the heart of rural Iowa. Over the past 15 years, the Association has worked with Main Street Iowa consultants, architects and historic preservationists in developing the cultural center plan, which, when completed in February, 2012, will serve as a destination for culture, art, entertainment, and commerce. Just as the original buildings were anchors for city and county economic and entertainment activity, the redevelopment plan plays tribute by focusing on these contemporary uses: retail space for micro-enterprise businesses featuring Iowa artworks and local entrepreneurial endeavors; lobby/gallery for traveling and local art shows; dining venues featuring locally grown products; theater serving as premiere site for professional and local performances, educational conference center, and reception site; studio/lodging for artist-in-residencies, artist's retreat and performer lodging.
These three buildings were the hubs of Adair County activity for over 100 years. As a site for a bustling mercantile company, entertainment venue for traveling road shows, orphan distribution center for the historic orphan trains, bakery, tea room, archery, duck pins, candy store, photography studio, women's department store, and pharmacy, these three buildings hold "the sense of place" for Adair County, Iowa. The original ornate 9-room apartment encompassed by the iconic copper turret features wooden parquet floors, pocket doors, and original stenciling. A historic structures report details such as the exterior Romanesque designs, ornate copper features, and interior stenciling, paint, and decorative design elements that will be meticulously restored.
As a model for green, sustainable redevelopment of historic properties, the Warren Cultural Center is a prime example demonstrating a collaborative effort in commitment to quality historic preservation that ultimately improves the quality of life in southwest Iowa. Even in its deteriorating condition, the opera house has continued to be a center of activity in the past 10 years. It has served as tour site for the Pentel International Children's Art Exhibition for 8 years, drawing school children and visitors from around the state. Artist-in-residency programs sponsored by the local school district and the Association has featured music, art, and drama shows. Children and adults have provided tours and educational programs. Most recently The Warren Cultural Center co-sponsored a concert featuring Simon Estes, an Iowa native and internationally renowned opera singer with the Simon Estes Music High School chorus from Capetown, South Africa. These culturally diverse experiences enrich the lives of rural Iowa families.
Since a concerned local resident gifted the opera house building to Main Street Greenfield in 1996, over $700,000 has been invested in weatherproofing and accessibility This Challenge Grant closes the gap in the final leg of the $6.2 million capital campaign. The Warren Cultural Center revitalization effort symbolizes the culmination of visioning efforts of local folks who believe that people can once again be attracted to live in a community where education, the arts, grass roots, elbow grease, commitment, and creativity are mainstays.
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