Since 1871, the Havre de Grace Opera House has long been a cultural and community centerpiece in Harford County. In August 2017, the Opera House celebrated a grand reopening with important and impressive accessibility and comfort amenities that will ensure it’s place in the community for many years to come. For their efforts, the Opera House Foundation will receive a Best of Maryland preservation award.
Congratulate the Havre de Grace Opera House at the annual Best of Maryland preservation awards event on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House in Baltimore City. Celebrate with us and explore The Flag House with people that love Maryland as much as you do!
From the early days of touring opera companies and Gilbert & Sullivan to dance parties, our public library, and city council chambers, the Opera House filled a need for entertainment, dances, children’s activities, and social engagement in Harford County.
The Havre de Grace Opera House Foundation began a renovation project several years ago that would address the deficiencies of the property that was preventing the community from utilizing and capitalizing on the historic resource.
The Foundation began with a Existing Conditions Assessment, and addressed major safety, comfort and accessibility issues with masonry repairs, ADA compliance access, and installation of an HVAC system — much of the work was completed by Lewis Contractors.
Not only did this project revitalize the Opera House, but under the stewardship of the City, the project connected the Opera House to an adjacent historic building that is used for gallery space and other community uses – creating a hub for arts and culture. The grand opening was held in August 2017.