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Michigan Theatre

Jackson, MI

124 N. Mechanic Street

, Jackson, MI 49201 United States

(map)

517.783.0811

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Spanish Baroque

Function:	Movies (Classic), Movies (Independent), Stage Shows
Seats:	1450
Chain:	Independent

Architect:	Maurice H. Finkel
Firm:	Unknown

View of the exterior and marquee of the Michigan Theatre

Photo courtesy of Susan Murdie Birkle/The Michigan Theatre of Jackson

The Michigan Theatre opened in June 1930, the last and largest of several movie palaces built in Jackson.

Designed in the Spanish Baroque style, it featured ornate plasterwork, marble, imported antique artwork, and walnut paneling. The terra-cotta facade and its rooftop cupola resembled a church from 18th century Spain.

The Michigan Theatre featured both stage shows and motion pictures, and was an entertainment mecca for Jacksonians for decades before ultimately closing its doors in 1978.

Its original-and-only-owners kept the Michigan in excellent condition during their tenure, and its original appearance has changed little since it opened, amazingly, other than an Art Moderne new marquee added about 1940, and its interior being painted over in a uniformly dark color scheme in the 1960's.

Since restoration began in 1993, over a million dollars has been put into returning the Michigan to its original glory, including restoring the original colors to the auditorium and lobby, regilding, and adding a new marquee which is more in line with the Michigan's original 1930 marquee.

Full restoration was virtually completed in 2009. The Michigan Theatre screens classic and art films, including children's matinees, and its stage is host to concerts and local theater productions.

Related Websites

Michigan Theatre - Jackson (Official)

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

YOUR COMMENTS

NOT TRUE: including restoring the original colors to the auditorium and lobby, regilding TRUE: The restoration projects include: Re-installation and electric work on the vertical "Michigan" sign; rebuilding the deteriorating back stage wall (Pearl Street facade); completion of roof repairs,$75,000 New Marquee, a sample decorative interior restoration;many plumbing & heating repairs, and improvements to the stage. Our Terra Cotta Facade has been restored, we have just received a 60/40 matching grant from the State Historic Preservation Office to restore the cupola ($110,000 total est. project cost).Please include us on "rentals, second run movies, movie series-college & kids," -there's not much we don't do! The theatre has had plaster damaged caused in the 80's by no electricity/heat for two years. There is a lot of interior work left to do to bring it back to its former glory-New Plumbing, HVAC, Seats, Paint, Plaster, Carpet, & Electrical. Please update info. and add our website: www.michigantheatre.org I love this site! Keep up the good work!! Susan

posted by SusanMurdieBirkle on Aug 15, 2001 at 4:51pm

The Michigan Theatre in Jackson MI was originally operated by W.S. Butterfield Theatres.

posted by gflinn on Jan 20, 2002 at 9:39am

If you have never been here, GO. One of the best secrets in Jackson. I saw Lord of the Rings there, its worth the wait to see it in such a fantastic place.

posted by mikemarshall on Jan 8, 2003 at 8:16pm

The Michigan Theater in Jackson was designed by Maurice Finkel as was the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor.

posted by Henry on Aug 24, 2004 at 5:49am

Photo of the Michigan Theatre.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/Chuck1231/Michigan%20Theatres/MichiganTheatre124No.jpg

posted by Chuck1231 on Aug 20, 2005 at 8:16am

Color photo of the Michigan Theatre.
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/6/micht.jpg

posted by Chuck1231 on Sep 27, 2005 at 9:35pm

Chuck: Great color photo. This theatre has a very narrow facade! An interior photo would be interesting to view and the marquees are beautiful...they look to be recently restored.

posted by Patsy on Mar 22, 2006 at 3:44pm

Congratulations to the folks of Jackson MI for realizing the importance of preserving their hometown theatre, the MICHIGAN!

posted by Patsy on Mar 22, 2006 at 3:48pm

I agree with Patsy, it would be nice to see some interior photographs of the auditorium and lobby. It is wonderful to know that the Michigan theatre is being restored with such devotion.

posted by ERD on Mar 23, 2006 at 6:02am

ERD: Thanks for agreeing with me and hopefully in the near future we'll see some interior photos. I know that CT member, Lost Memory has posted numerous theatre photos and maybe LM will be able to discover some photos!

posted by Patsy on Mar 23, 2006 at 8:44am

Here is a recent photo of the Michigan Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 14, 2006 at 4:10am

This link has some recent photos of the Michigan Theater including interior photos. Click each photo to expand it.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 27, 2006 at 7:02am

Lost Memory: Once again, thank you for the Michigan Theater photos. This theatre is absolutely beautiful and I regret not seeing this theatre, in person, when I was a student at Adrian College in nearby Adrian, MI.

posted by Patsy on Oct 27, 2006 at 7:16am

I posted those photos just for you. ;) For a change, I found some interior photos. Most of the photos that I find are of the exterior.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 27, 2006 at 8:24am

Well, I'm honored that you posted them "just for me". Thank you kind friend and if I ever get back to the State of MI I will most definitely check out this hometown 'cinema treasure'!

posted by Patsy on Oct 27, 2006 at 9:43am

Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1980

Michigan Theater ** (added 1980 - Building - #80001874)
124 N. Mechanic St., Jackson
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Finkel,Maurice
Architectural Style: Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 4, 2007 at 4:25pm

Once again, this theatre is a wonderful example of a small town theatre that has been saved, preserved and cherished as this cinema is truly a 'treasure'. I hope the citizens of Jackson MI realize this fact!

posted by Patsy on Jan 4, 2007 at 4:31pm

This is another recent photo of the Michigan Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 5, 2007 at 9:09am

Here is a more recent photo of the Michigan Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 12, 2007 at 8:54am

Michigan Theater website. Click on "Theatre Tour" on the left side of the page.

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 9, 2008 at 2:16pm

A nice July 2008 photo of the Michigan Theater can be seen here.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 10, 2008 at 7:09am

Lost: Another great photo of a great theatre in Michigan!

posted by Patsy on Jul 10, 2008 at 7:21am

This is a 2009 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 31, 2009 at 11:18am

Love this theatre's marquees!

posted by Patsy on Jan 31, 2009 at 1:18pm

1982 Photo

1983 Photo

posted by Lost Memory on May 8, 2009 at 6:12pm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/twistr54/sets/72157602174814244/
This link will take you to photos of the Michigan Theatre.

posted by Twistr54 on Sep 29, 2009 at 3:02pm

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