Egyptian Theatre
135 N. 2nd Street,
DeKalb,
IL
60115
135 N. 2nd Street,
DeKalb,
IL
60115
23 people
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Former Egyptian Theatre Executive Director Barbara Kummerfeldt passes away
DeKalb, IL – The Egyptian Theatre is saddened to announce that former Executive Director Barbara Kummerfeldt passed away on January 20th at the age of 87.
Kummerfeldt’s multi-decade history with the Egyptian Theatre started during the late 1970’s when she, along with her husband Irv, were part of the original steering committee that was instrumental in saving the Egyptian Theatre from the literal wrecking ball. She along with a group of concerned citizens worked to get the building listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1978 and formed the non-profit organization, Preservation of Egyptian Theatre, which continues to own and operate the Theatre to this day.
“Barb dedicated an impressive number of years to the Egyptian Theatre. There is no doubt she has left a lasting imprint on the history of the Theatre,” stated Alex Nerad, Egyptian Theatre Executive Director.
Thanks to Kummerfeldt’s efforts, she, along with many dedicated community members, were able to secure a $2.3 million grant from the State of Illinois in 1982. This money was used to restore the Theatre to its original 1929 splendor.
“Barb never wearied in her passion for the preservation of the Egyptian Theatre,” said DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas. “From the preservation campaign that she and her late husband, Irv, successfully led to renovate the historic theatre in the 1980s to the present, she thought about and talked about what might be done to make it better every day.”
When the Theatre reopened in 1983 after its restoration, she became the first Executive Director of the non-profit serving until 1988 where she helped to see that it was host to dozens of events a year including robust film programming.
“Without Barb Kummerfeldt there most likely would be a parking lot at 135 N. Second St. instead of the historic landmark Egyptian Theatre,” stated former Egyptian Theatre Board Member Barb Josh. “She not only cleared the initial hurdle of saving the Theatre from the wrecking ball, but the even larger one of funding its restoration and making it financially viable. She, along with her husband Irv, and a handful of others made the building operational so it could be open to the public during its restoration. In all aspects, she was always hands on.”
Many community members who worked with Kummerfeldt during her tenure at the Egyptian Theatre have begun to share their memories of Barb following her passing.
“It’s very possible that we would have never seen the revitalization of the Egyptian Theatre if it had not been for Irv and Barbara Kummerfeldt. As a matter of fact, this community treasure might not even be intact had it not been for the dogged determination of the Kummerfeldt’s over 40 years ago. Now, we share in the sadness in Barb’s passing, but we celebrate her stewardship that continued for many years following the establishment of the Preservation of Egyptian Theatre organization. We will continue the celebration of Barb Kummerfeldt’s life later this year, as we look forward to a gala grand opening of the Egyptian Theatre,” stated City of DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith.
“The City of DeKalb has lost a champion. The dedication of Barb Kummerfeldt, as Director of the Egyptian Theatre merits a chapter in the community’s history,” stated charter P.E.T. members Roger and Mary Keys. “Barb championed the Egyptian as a cultural arts center for the city when the building was filled with snow and falling apart. Beginning in the late 1970’s as a charter member of Preservation of Egyptian Theatre she opened her home for meetings, helped keep the lights on during trying times and supported fellow volunteers. With grateful hearts we mourn her passing.”
“When I first came to NIU/DeKalb, Barbara Kummerfeldt was one of the first people to welcome me and got on the bandwagon of supporting the NIU Show Band. The method to her madness was getting me to support her and Irv’s efforts in saving the Egyptian Theatre. DeKalb will forever be indebted to Barbara Kummerfeldt for her love, commitment, and preservation of the theatre – a DeKalb Treasure.” stated Michael Embrey who presented shows at the Egyptian Theatre during Kummerfeldt’s tenure.
Her longstanding impact on the Egyptian Theatre will forever be a part of its rich history.
Additional memories and tributes will continue to be shared on the Egyptian Theatre social media and website: www.egyptiantheatre.org.
Facebook page for the Egyptian Theatre. Shows films listed for October.
https://www.facebook.com/dekalbegyptiantheatre
The website is showing all performing arts attractions. No movies listed at all, current or classic.
Short piece about the Egyptian with photos.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/egyptian-theatre
According to the website the 35mm projection system has been restored.
December 7th, 1929 grand opening ad in the photo section.
Bobby, unfortunately I won’t be in town this weekend. I’m about 5 hours away so it’s a problem attending events there.
I am looking forward visiting & seeing the Christmas show this saturday night at 7:30pm. 12/20/14. Are you going Scott?
The Egyptian is alive and kicking. Check out this new article. http://blog.preservationnation.org/2013/03/18/dekalbs-historic-egyptian-theatre-a-pharaoh-inspired-space-gets-a-lively-afterlife/#.UUs7GRyKKuK
darrelmw, I was there in 1985-1986. I mainly worked concessions, but was also in the ticket booth at times. I have many fond memories of volunteering there. I was in Dekalb this past summer and couldn’t resist checking to see if I could get into the theatre. Well, I did get in and met the manager, who talked about what they’ve been doing to the theatre lately. I’m happy to report that the theatre looks great.
Hey Paradise….when were you a volunteer there? I was a volunteer in 79/80. Ran the box office for part of the time.
The article about the Wurlitzer is from March 17, 2009, so perhaps the organ has already been installed. I used to do volunteer work at the Egyptian but have lost touch with the happenings there.
Regarding the notion that the Egyptian is haunted, I’ve been in all areas of the theatre on many occasions and never encountered anything ghost-like. But if such nonsense will sell tickets, so be it.
The Egyptian Theatre is used as a Haunted House each October. My picture (posted above by Chuck) shows the theatre with the haunted house decorations still on the front of the building. I also have one interior picture that I took earlier in October. Here’s the link:
View link
Here’s a 2008 black and white view: http://www.boxsetgallery.com/stein/index.html
Never realized that was a scarab in the window. Cool.
Given that there are so many Egyptian theaters from the 1920s (Hollywood and Long Beach CA come to mind), I’m wondering if the whole King Tut mania of the teens had anything to do with this. Why would an architect say out of the blue “I think I will make my theater look like something out of ancient Egypt”.
Do you have a list of the theaters he designed? I have a feeling the list here is incomplete. Do you know what work he did during his time with Rapp and Rapp (1917-1923)? Also, do you have anything on the Echo in Des Plaines?
It’s a marvelous theater; hidden on a little sidestreet. I was a student at NIU and saw live productions as well as movies there; the murals are worth the trip alone (and the lobby is breathtaking.)
It’s so good to see people interested in some of the buildings my Great Grandfather designed.If anyone has obscure questions they think I may be able to drum up answers to feel free to ask. Thank you for preserving my families history.
Is Gene Liberty still involved with the theater? I remember him hosting Jazz sessions there in the early ‘80’s.
George Thompson
Former NIU Television Services Chief Engineer
It’s so pretty! I wish CT would have something like this.
Here is the official website, http://www.egyptiantheatre.org
According to the website, this theatre opened with 1600 seats and now has 1449 with 905 on the floor and 544 in the balcony. There are some nice pictures on the site and a good history.
A January 13, 1985 Chicago Tribune letter to the editor from a gentleman who worked with Behrns, responding to some photos that had recently appeared, notes that the main designer of the Egyptian’s interior decor was a man named John Halama who did extensive research on Egypt for the design.
According to David Naylor this is also an atmospheric.
More information ofn the Dekalb from Northern Illinois Univerity