Tour the Grand Opera House
Click on the photo bubble to place yourself virtually inside of the Grand Opera House. The design of the Grand Opera House was that of local architect William Waters who had designed over 100 Oshkosh buildings, including the public library and museum.

About the Grand Opera House
The beginnings of the Grand Opera House took place in 1882 when Oshkosh was the second largest city in Wisconsin. A handful of local businessmen were not happy with the existing performance theater in Oshkosh and residents wished for the types shows that were appearing in cities like New York and Chicago.

On August 9, 1883 the Grand Opera House with a production of "The Bohemian Girl." The official capacity of the new theater was 921 and additional chairs could accommodate audiences of over 1,000 people. "Jump seats," which folded out from the walls and from the ends of seats, brought the total possible seating to 1,224.

Early theatergoers to the Grand Opera House enjoyed a rich and modern Victorian design. There were hand-painted drop curtains as well as elaborately detailed wall and ceiling artistry done by local artist J. Frank Waldo. Huge curved ceiling beams and columns rising up on either side of the proscenium are reminiscent of Roman influences. The opulence of the era was reflected in the Queen Anne style in the auditorium.

Over the years the Grand Opera House has been host to many world acclaimed performers such as Vincent Price, Harry Blackstone, Hal Holbrook and Celeste Holm. Other Grand Opera House celebrities included Samuel Clemens (as Mark Twain), John Phillip Sousa, Harry Houdini, Sarah Bernhardt, Maude Adams and President William Howard Taft.