July 14, 1976

The Community Press

The Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., a non-profit organization, has been formed to acquire, restore, and operate the vintage, gaslight theater, the Guyer Opera House in Lewisville, Indiana.

The idea to restore the Guyer is the brainchild of Dick and Vickie Willis of New Castle and Lewisville. The Willises have investigated and dreamed about the restoration for four years. A year ago, a board of directors was formed, a constitution written, and the Guild was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization.

The purposes of the Guild are to acquire, restore, and operate the Guyer as a museum theater capable of producing modern drama, as well, and to provide the greater Raintree County area with a much needed small auditorium. The Guild plans to sponsor such events as summer theater, children’s theater, film festivals, lecture series, and to have the auditorium and lobby area available for meetings, style shows, recitals and other community projects. The Guild hopes to restore the building as much as possible as it was when it opened in 1902 while adding modern audience comforts. The Guild also hopes to restore the "glamour of the gaslight" with family entertainment at reasonable prices.

Plans for the restoration are grouped into four phases. The first phase with a completion date set for June 1977, is to acquire and open the building. Restoration will not be completed. Immediate plans call for new plumbing, wiring, air-conditioning, heating and making the building suitable to modern safety and comfort regulation. The second phase is to restore the exterior of the building and to furnish the lobby area in a Victorian style. Phase three will be the complete restoration of the auditorium part of the building, and phase four will be the addition of a production area at the back of the existing structure.

The phases of restoration will be completed as moneys become available. The first phase will require $50,000. The building price is $15,000, and the architects estimate for opening is $35,000.

The two story brick building is located in the center of Lewisville facing U.S. 40, the old National Road. The theater itself is located on the second floor, an architectural feature common in the opera house era. The auditorium is a 50’ x 50’ tiered room capable of seating 350 patrons. The stage has a beveled style proscenium arch with the original gaslight features. A painted asbestos drop curtain features a castle scene with lake and mountain landscape. The scene is surrounded by painted swag draperies and tasseled curtains. Much of the original stage hardware is in place and is usable. The four dressing rooms are intact with original gas light fixtures and playbills of performers who "trod the boards" of the Guyer in its heyday.

The building has been inspected by the Administrative Building Council of Indiana and the State Fire Marshall’s office. These agencies have given the green light to proceed with the project.

Membership in the Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., is obtained by purchasing at least "one share of historical preservation." A share is $25. More shares may be purchased which gives the member added voting rights and privileges. Types of memberships are: Individual member - $25; Family Member - $50; Organization Member - $100; Individual Patron - $100; Family Patron - $150; and ANGEL - $500 or more.

The Guyer Opera House was first opened in 1902. The name is a tribute to the guiding light of the project, Dr. O. K. Guyer, a Lewisville physician. The opera house presented plays from stock companies in Indianapolis and other theatrical centers, as well as gun shows, farmer’s institutes, Civil War regiment reunions, commencements, rabbit suppers, dances, home talent shows, and holiday observances for the community. The Guyer was later used as a motion picture house and as the setting for Lewisville High School dramatic productions. The building was closed in 1942 because the pot-bellied stoves that were used to heat the building would not pass fire regulations.

Board of Directors for the Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., are Leland Atkinson, Charles Brown, Mrs. Ralph N. Bush, George Hall, Kathryn Hall, Larry J. Horney, Jean Morris, Caroline Peyton, Richard Ratcliff, Juanita Jane Rucker, Tom Saunders, Mark C. Stamper, Sandee Swiegart, Dick Willis and Vickie Willis.