The Sterling shines as a symbol of Derby's vibrant past

DERBY - Preserving the fascinating history of the stately Sterling Opera House should be enough reason to support a major project to renovate its interior.

An ornate balcony railing stands out in this view taken from the first floor.

Built in the Italianate Victorian style in 1889, the opera house graces Elizabeth Street in downtown Derby.  

The exterior has been restored and in 2011 a new cupola, which is illuminated at night, was installed.

The opera house was the first building in Connecticut to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it has an interesting history, for sure. 

Entertainers ranging from John Barrymore and Harry Houdini to Milton Berle, Bob Hope, George Burns and Gracie Allen all appeared there.  

Amelia Earhart spoke at the opera house, and John Phillip Sousa performed on its stage. The structure has what has been described as amazing acoustics.

It was used as a theater from 1889 until 1945. The lower levels housed municipal offices and the city jail for two decades before it was closed in 1965.  

The long-vacant building is filled with energy of the spirit kind. The theater has been investigated by numerous paranormal groups and time and again ghostly entities have made their presence known to visitors.

  

I've been fortunate enough to tour the interior on several occasions, and have witnessed several inexplicable paranormal happenings while there.
Each time I leave filled with enthusiasm about what the opera house could become.

On Monday city officials announced the receipt of $150,000 in federal funds to go toward the renovation of the interior. Cost estimate of the project is between $3 and $4 million.

U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, secured the money. She had also secured $150,000 for the project in 2009. 

We who love the opera house thank DeLauro for her support of a project that will revive the building and bring it back to its former glory.

I took this photo from the Derby Green in August 2010. The cupola was replaced in February 2011.