The Historic Sedan Opera House
Sedan Opera House History
From The Beginning
1895 Sedan Opera House
Taken By Avery in 1904 at
Ackarman Hardware Day
The Sedan Opera House was first constructed as a two story wood framed building by W. H. Bryan in 1885 where he operated a mercantile store in the bottom of the building, specializing in wagons, buggies and implements.
In 1890 the Sedan Opera House was destroyed by fire.
E. C. Ackarman bought the lots where the Sedan Opera House stood in 1895.
The Opera House was rebuilt by E. C. Ackarman where he also used the bottom portion of the building to sell wagons, buggies and implements.
Several parties including churches, organizations and theater groups used the upper portion of the building. The Chrysanthemum show was held from 1902 through 1921.
In 1903 the Opera House was destroyed by fire then rebuilt in 1904 when the Ancient Order of Workmen bought the lot and building. Mr. Ackarman continued to use the bottom floor for his mercantile.
In 1919 Mr. Ackarman bought the second story of the building from the Ancient Order of Workmen.
In 1928 G.C. (Carlin) Bain opened Square Deal Produce on the main floor of the building. Later in 1937 to 1946, Mr. Bain operated a GMC and Pontiac car dealership at the building, purchasing the building from Beth Ackarman.
During World War II the lower portion was used as an armory for the Tank Company and the 353rd Infantry Regiment Reserves, the upper floor being used as a skating rink from 1946 to the late 1950's.
1961 - G.C. Bains sold the building to Beth Ackarman Dungan. The building was used by Ackarman for storage.
In 1980 Beth and Horace Dungan sold the building to the City of Sedan and the Emmett Kelly Museum moved into the bottom floor. The upper floor sat idle except on occasional Halloweens when it was used as a Haunted House attraction for area children. The Emmett Kelly Museum still occupies the lower portion if the building.
The Sedan Opera House has been nominated to The National Register of Historic Places and Register of Historic Kansas Places sense 1993.
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Certification of State Register Listing PDF
Certification of State Register Listing PDF
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In May 5, 2006, The Emmett Kelly Museum ~ Sedan Opera House was announced as a, "Most Endangered Site", by the Kansas Preservation Alliance.
http://www.kpalliance.org
Again in 2011 the Sedan Opera House was awarded a Preservation Stewardship Award by the Kansas Preservation Alliance, for the 2011 Awards for Excellence.
