Tivoli Theater
Last-minute deal saves historic Tivoli Theatre
Loan from foundation enables community group to purchase Spencer building slated for wrecking
ball
By Laura Lane
331-4362 | lane@heraldt.com
March 1, 2006
SPENCER — The new owners of Spencer's historic Tivoli Theatre intend to breathe life into the
77-year-old structure, which had been scheduled for demolition last December.
On Tuesday, three people who have been fighting to save the theater took ownership from the
man who had planned to tear the theater down. They paid about $38,000 for the building — from
the deteriorating stage to the no-longer-flashing marquee.
A $47,000 loan from the state's Historic Landmarks Foundation funded the purchase, which was
channeled through the not-for-profit Owen County Preservations Inc. Money left from buying the
theater will be used to shore up a portion of the roof that is collapsing.
Ryan Bruce, manager of community radio station WFHB in Bloomington, said a not-for-profit
corporation — Community Renaissance Inc. — is being formed to oversee the renovations and
determine the future of the building. CRI will own the theater and solicit donations to help restore
it.
Bruce got involved in the project after Kathy Cook, an Indiana University freshman from Owen
County, lamented the theater's date with the wrecking ball. The two joined forces with
businessman Dax Norton and they dedicated themselves to trying to save the Tivoli.
They succeeded. But have a long way to go.
"Overall, it is going to be a long and expensive process, but it is doable," Bruce said. "The
integrity of the building is strong. Take away the dropped ceilings and you can see the greatness
of that space. You can see films being shown, performances on stage.
"There is a magic," Bruce added. "You can visualize 1928, but you also can visualize 2008."
When it was announced that the theater was going to be razed, the Spencer Evening World
newspaper started getting letters. The newspaper eventually started a "Memories of the Tivoli"
column that ran for weeks on the front page. One after another, people recalled times gone by
spent at the old Tivoli.
Patsy Powell, a member of Owen County Preservations, was involved with a group that called
itself Friends of the Tivoli. About six years ago, they made plans to raise money to buy and
refurbish the theater. But demolition seemed imminent, and the money required was more than
could be raised.
Powell first saw "Rhapsody in Blue" at the theater when she was a high school junior. She and her
late husband, Marvin, had their first date at the Tivoli in 1946.
Tuesday afternoon, she was ecstatic about the purchase. "I'm on my way to the closing at the
bank right now," she said. "We had given up, but these young people with their energy, I think, can
do wonders."
Bruce hopes the rebirth of the Tivoli will mark the beginning of a return of life to downtown
Spencer, which has its share of empty storefronts.
"We are not focused just on the renovation of this theater but also economic development and
revitalization for the downtown," he said. Commercial space in the theater will be opened up for
small businesses to move into, he said.
"We hope to foster a supportive environment for people looking to locate downtown. We think
people still want to come downtown," Bruce said.
Powell agreed and can now see a bright future. "I had felt so sad about the theater being torn
down. But I will be dancing in the streets today."
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