Covellite Theatre Owners Hope to Revive Historic Building

posted by ThrHistoricalSociety on February 29, 2016 at 8:15 pm

The Covellite Theatre in Uptown Butte, Montana has been vacant since 2007. But thanks to some local entrepreneurs, Butte residents will again be able to watch performances in the historic structure.

Brett Berry, Ed Lewalk and Matt Frey, who all live in Butte, purchased the Covellite in October and hope to have the theater up and running by summer.

Built in 1896, the Covellite was once the First Presbyterian Church and was later converted into a theater.

Berry, Lewalk and Frey said the decision to purchase the Covellite was simple: they didn’t want to see the historic structure deteriorate.

“Everyone in Butte loves the building,” said Berry. “Every one of us were pretty big on the historic preservation side.”

“We all got together and saw this as another opportunity to save a building,” added Lewalk.

The three are working to restore the theater at 215 W. Broadway St., across from the Butte Public Library. Updates include repairing the structure’s chimneys, renovating the interior, beautifying the outside, and improving the building’s functionality.

Read more about the theatre renovation in the Montana Standard: http://mtstandard.com/business/covellite-theatre-owners-hope-to-revive-historic-building/article_b87e9f13-654d-5d44-9b7a-ef444b437ba4.html

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ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

Learn more about historic theatres in the THS American Theatre Architecture Archives and on our website at historictheatres.org