HISTORY OF HERTHA/HERTH

Designed by Charles H. Peale and built in 1883 on land donated by Caspar Schuler, the Elk Rapids Town Hall has served as a social and political center for more than 130 years. In the 19th century, mainly due to lumbering and iron smelting, the village was the most important economic force in the area. Now it is a charming lakeside town that is a great place to visit and enjoy. Throughout it all, our town hall continues as a cultural, meeting and entertainment center.

​Here are some of the many milestones along the way. ​(1849)

• U.S. Government surveyor Abram Wadsworth built a log cabin near the present site of the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall. The cabin was located on the north side of River Street, opposite what today are lots 26 and 27 in the Village of Elk Rapids.

1883

• One account: "The location of the village is decidedly picturesque and attractive, and the people appear to be proud of their surroundings and liberal in matters of local interest."
• Historic Town Hall constructed.
• 500 chairs arrived on the steamer T.S. Faxton.
• King & Griffith provided the drop curtain, frescoing, interior colors and stage surround.
• King himself painted the portrait of Shakespeare over the stage.
• Jail cell completed. Nickname: The Dark Resort
  
• Grand Opening on February 23. Ball and supper for more than 150 people.
• The spitting of chewing tobacco inside the hall was strongly discouraged.

1884

• Township Board reluctantly allowed roller skating in the hall.
• Gas street lamp placed outside in front of the hall.

1887

• Sosman & Landis, Chicago scenic artists, provided the drop curtain, the hollow wooden roller for the curtain and many hall decorations.

1902

• Briefly used as a quarantine house for a serious case of Scarlet Fever.

1910

• Concrete porch added to the front by G.F. Frink & Son.

1920

• New names added to drop curtain by Mr. Lutz, artist: J.C. Krausman, dry goods, A.P. Wilson, grocer, F.H. Marriott, drugs, Martinek & Kaiser, garage. Frank Martinek, jeweler, John Dockery, furniture, A.J. Winters, drugs and Elk Electric Company.

1930 

• Shower-baths installed because town hall was the school gym.

1950s

• Three Elk Rapids women – Floy Bachi, Elsie Pfeiffer and Ruby Veliquette – collected more than 600 signatures to effectively halt Town Hall demolition.

1967

• Town Hall demolition discussed again – to put up a parking lot.

1972

• Citizens opinions gathered about future of hall. Decision was made to restore it.
• Bathrooms constructed.
• Listed on MI Register of Historic Sites.

1975

• The first annual North Central Region Historical Conference of the Historical Society of Michigan was held here on August 9.

1977

• Front foyer constructed.
• Listed on National Register of Historic Sites.

1979

• Historic plaque mounted at town hall entrance

1983

• Centennial celebration.

 1984

• Helen Grace Brugger restored the historic stage curtain.

1985

• Lower level excavated [Lore Alert! It is said that locals dug it out using only spoons.] and became home for Elk Rapids Area Historical Museum.

1990

• Electrical panels installed; electrical conduit put in ceiling.

1991

• Plaster repaired and painted, ceiling repaired and gold leaf added; floor repaired.

1996

• Exterior brick repaired and sealed.

2004

• Township office moved to Government Center.

2009

• New ceiling lights installed in main hall.
• Bathrooms upgraded.
• HERTHA formed as a non-profit organization.

2010

• Cornerstone Architect study completed.
• Elk Rapids Players formed and performed The Odd Couple and Barefoot in the Park.
• Digital replica of historic stage curtain installed.
• Paint-fest projects created Broadway-style office.
• Parallel 45 Theatre Company performed ​Our Town.
• Donations of two chandeliers, lamp, and movie posters.
• Loan of office furniture and accessories by Harbor Antiques.
• Stage painted and stage ceiling outfitted with lighting support pipes and work lights.

2011

• Additional theater lights purchased.
• ER Players donated temporary blackout curtains and performed ​Moon Over Buffalo and A Party to Murder.
• Additional temporary chairs purchased.
• Parallel 45 Theatre Company performed Metamorphoses.
• Elk Rapids Area Historical Museum moved from lower level to new location.
• Capital Campaign started.

2012

• Benches and tables sold. New banquet tables purchased.
• ER Players formed and performed Harvey and Don't Hug Me.
• Balcony repurposed: removed risers; added flat floor, electrical conduit, outlets and lights; spotlight acquired by Elk Rapids Players.
• Attic insulation, work lights and flooring installed; duct work repaired.
• Parallel 45 Theatre Company performed ​A Christmas Carol in Prose.
• Air conditioning, dehumidifier and two high-efficiency furnaces installed.
• Old Town Repertory Company performed The Wind in the Willows.
• Dexter & Noble safe and jail door moved to museum.

2013

• Thermostats and duct work consolidated. Internet-enabled thermostats installed.
• Attic folding stairs installed.
• ER Players performed Whose Wives Are They Anyway and A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol.
• East side door replaced.
• 130th anniversary - February 23. A flocking of plastic flamingos roosted outside.
• 100 new banquet chairs arrived.
• Design study completed.

2014

• Major fundraising completed. 50 additional banquet chairs arrived.
• Hall painted and tin ceiling repaired.
• Replacement jail door constructed and installed.
• Motion sensor light installed over side doorway.
• Flagpole repaired and new flag is flying.
• ER Players perfomed Tender Lies and The Mousetrap.
• New carpet installed in foyer.
• New fire monitoring system installed. 

2015

• Installed Fire Control Panel and Cellular Communicator system.
• Replaced windows and doorway in the entrance way.
• Bar and bar sinks are in place. 
• Separate water heater installed for washing glassware. 
• Beverage hoses coming up from the basement are installed.
• Electrical service for beverage service installed. 
• Siren Hall starts on-site beverage service, complete full-service bar equipment.
• ER Players performed ​Plaza Suite and Everybody Loves Opal.
• Large storage unit donated by Tom Vranich. Moved by Howard Richter, Chris Lutey and Gary Chenowith to the main floor office.
• Temporary sound system installed by Ron Bachi, which enables our existing hearing loop. New system on order.

2016

• Sound Cabinet designed and built by John Peterson, then donated to HERTHA. Holds our sound mixer, main amplifier, hearing loop amplifier and future components.
• February fundraiser held at Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen.
• New sound system installed by Rob Bachi (Elite Audio) and Ben Swift (Swift Audio). Ron also ran upgraded wiring from the stage to the back balcony for remote control of sound and lighting.
• ER Players performed ​Bullshot Crummond.
• To better brand our rental venue, we changed our hall nickname from The HERTH to ​HERTH Hall.​
• Created HERTH Hall feather flag for outside display during special events.​
• Updated Web site to include branding graphics and HERTH Hall nickname.
• Hosted pulled pork meal (donated by Kolu's Eatery) with entertainment as part of the ERAHS Founder's Day Celebration.

2017

• Installed beautiful new window treatments in the main hall.
• Hosted Fall Farm & Craft Market.
• ER Players performed ​Mom's Gift.​

2018

• Hosted Fall Farm & Craft Market.
• ER Players host Community Trivia Night.
  
• Library board of trustees hosted a public meeting in July to allow the public to ask questions and submit comments about a possible library expansion.
• ​ER Players performed ​Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.​
• Installed seamless gutter & drain system along west side of building.  Funded by Elk Rapids Township.

2019

• ER Players hosted Community Trivia Night and performed Blithe Spirit. Next: ​Guys and Dolls.
• Green Elk Rapids hosted a community discussion with Deborah and James Fallows.
• ​Installed new ceiling fans.
• ​Removed the old fire escape.
• ​Campaign for replacement of hall windows began.