Summit Opera House

Summit Opera House. . The building on this site was designed in 1893 for the Women's Temperance Union by architect Theodore Mead, Jr. In return for title to the property, Civil War veteran Joel G. Van Cise completed the construction and provided the W.C.T.U. with a local headquarters. He also used the site as a rostrum when he ran for U.S. President on the Prohibition Party ticket., The building originally housed shops on the ground level. Upstairs, an 800-seat stage hall featured Vaudeville and became Summit's very first movie house. The rear section contained a coffee shop, reading rooms, the W.C.T.U. meeting hall, and resort-quality sleeping rooms. The basement boasted sixty-foot bowling alleys., The structure's many names have included: , Temperance Hall and Union Hall (1893) , Williard Hall and Howard Hall (1894) , The Van Cise Bldg, followed by the Nore Lyrical "Summit Opera House." In 1920, the Overlook Masonic Lodge inserted a full third level and dubbed it "Masonic Hall." The building has also enjoyed great popularity for its restaurants: , The Blue Lantern Tea Room (1920-1948) , The New Hampshire House (1948-1984) , J.B. Winberie Est. 1985