Virtual Tour The Collingwood Opera House opened on Monday, February 1, 1869 with The Citizens Complimentary Concert to the generous and public - spirited, Mr. James Collingwood. The Eastman College Band and singers and musicians from New York City were the featured entertainment. Reviews stated that the opera house was "just right" in appearance, comfort and adaptation to the wants of the community. Today, we are not sure what the early opera house looked like. These drawings of the opera house are from l895 newspaper, and the theater had already been redecorated twice. The opera house seated 2,000 people: 900 on the first level, 600 in the first gallery and 500 on benches in the third, or "peanut" gallery. The dome was called the finest feature of the building. Backstage the theater was equipped to present the most up-to-date shows. At first, scenery was moved along grooves in the floor. Later, a fly loft above the stage was built so scenery could be hung or "flown in" from above the stage. From the day of its opening, the Collingwood always presented a wide variety of community and professional events.   BACK          NEXT   top of page