The "new" Opera House was constructed in 1886 after a fire destroyed the original theatre located on the corner of Main and Broadway. Designed by Oscar Cobb, the Lexington Opera House opened its doors on July 19, 1887 and quickly gained a reputation as one of the most well-designed and well-equipped theatres in the nation.
From its opening until the last stage performance, the Opera House played host to the most famous stage personalities of the time, including Al Jolson, W.C. Fields, Will Rogers, Harry Houdini and many others. The theatre is an outstanding example of Lexington’s early prominence in the arts and helped garner the city’s reputation as “the Athens of the West.”
After its last live performance on October 1, 1926, the Opera House began a long history of use as a movie theatre. A false ceiling was installed in 1930 concealing the second balcony, which was abandoned. Over time, the theatre fell into disrepair and was scheduled for demolition in the early 1970s.
Purchased by the city as part of the Lexington Center, with financial aid provided by The Opera House Fund, Inc., this historic structure was saved from the wrecking ball, and reconstruction and renovation began in 1975.
After the Opera House reopened in 1976 the Opera House Fund Inc., an esteemed group of philanthropists under the leadership of the late W.T. Young and George and Linda Carey, began to provide financial support to local performing arts groups that use the facility for their productions. Beneficiaries over the past three decades have included Lexington Children’s Theatre, Kentucky Ballet Theatre, Lexington Ballet Company, Lexington Philharmonic, UK Opera, SCAPA, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras and many others.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lexington Opera House is known to be one of the premiere performing arts centers in the region. Indeed, its current utilization is perhaps the greatest in its history.