Medina in Orleans County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bent's Opera House - 1864
Medina Downtown Historic District
— Bent's Hall Restoration Project —
Built in 1864 by Don C. Bent and served as the social center of the village and surrounding area until the early 20th century. At that time the third floor opera house was abandoned. The second floor remained home to a fraternal organization until the 1970's, and the first floor home to various commercial enterprises until 2009.
It is one of the oldest surviving opera houses in the nation, having been built at the height of the Civil War and the Lincoln Presidency. Its Medina Sandstone construction shares a heritage with such other notable places as Buckingham Palace in London, the H.H. Richardson Towers, St. Louis RC Church and St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo, the George Washington and Brooklyn Bridges in New York, and countless other architectural masterpieces in Medina, Western New York and around the world.
Through a charitable donation of this building by the Bank of America, the property is currently owned by the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. The group is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1997, and dedicated to bringing a rebirth of cultural events and preservation to the surrounding area.
The Renaissance Group's vision Bent's Opera House is two-fold:
• to stabilize, renovate, and restore the building in a historically sensitive manner, and
• to re-use the facility as a viable, multi-purpose 21st century commercial, entertainment, and culinary destination year-round.
Additionally, the vision for the facility will provide the flexibility to meet multiple needs for the community and surrounding area. Each floor is approximately 6,000 square feet.
The initial phases of the project will require various studies be undertaken. These will provide the Group with the necessary information to determine the scope and cost of the project. Until that time, the first and second floors will be leased to an appropriate commercial enterprise.
The renovation and restoration of Bent's Opera House is without question an ambitious undertaking. However, the vision is exciting and the possibilities endless. The Renaissance Group needs your support. Tax-deductable contributions can be made to further this project and help bring it to completion.
Tax-deductable donations can be made payable to:
The Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. • PO Box 606 • Medina, New York 14103. The Orleans Renaissance Group is a 501(c)(3) volunteer organization.
For information about the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. go to: www.eggstreet.org or visit us on Facebook at "Bent's Hall". Both sites provide contact information for making financial contributions, lease inquiries, Group-sponsored cultural events and concerts, general information, and opera house history.
Erected by Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 43° 13.229′ N, 78° 23.237′ W. Marker is in Medina, New York, in Orleans County. Marker is at the intersection of West Center Street (New York State Route 31E) and Main Street (New York State Route 63), on the right when traveling west on West Center Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 444 Main Street, Medina NY 14103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Modern Age: Electric Trolley (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Douglass (within shouting distance of this marker); Medina Sandstone (within shouting distance of this marker); The Last Blacksmith Shop in Orleans County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); On This Site Circa 1919 Alonzo L. Waters (about 400 feet away); Grover Cleveland & Frances Folsom (about 500 feet away); White's Hotel (about 500 feet away); Medina Fire Department (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medina.
Also see . . .
1. Bent's Opera House. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 13, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. The Orleans Renaissance Group. Medina Alive website entry (Submitted on May 13, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 633 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 13, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.