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SAVE OUR OPERA HOUSE
David and Eula Wintermann Foundation donates $125K, AL&M contributes $20k towards matching pledge
Donations have been flying in for the Columbus Historical Preserve and Trust’s efforts to save the Stafford Opera House, most recently with two donations made totaling $145,000, a $125,000 separate donation and a $20,000 donation made towards an anonymous $200k matching pledge.
The David and Eula Wintermann Foundation donated $125,000 last Friday, Nov. 1, while AL&M Building supplies donated $20,000 towards an anonymous $200,000 matching pledge.
The campaign initially launched last year, September 2023, with the original goal of raising $700,000 being met to restore the elevator, with work taking longer than expected.
The elevator is nearing completion and will be available for public use once an inspection test is conducted.
CHPT members realized though that given the whooping 138-year-old age of the building, which is solely owned and funded by a non-profit and manned by volunteers, additional repairs would be needed, increasing the amount of money needed to be raised.
The electrical and HVAC needs alone will add an estimated $450,000 in new expenses. The masonry work needed will allow the CHPT to move forward with the addition of bathrooms to the second floor, which will be costly.
These repairs along with needed renovations to the balcony and other numerous other projects, bring the new total needed to raise to $1.8 million. “Having walked the Live Oaks and Dead Folks hosted by the Nesbitt Memorial Library, I am reminded how rich, albeit lawless, our Columbus History was,” said Alison Korell, co-owner of AL&M. “When R.E. Stafford built the Stafford Opera House in 1886, he left behind a state-of-the-art facility for the whole community to enjoy. Now it’s our turn to gift back to the community the Stafford Opera House in all its glory.”
Korell says her company, run by her and her husband Mark Korell, gifted the CHPT $20,000 in store credit to be used for supplies in the restoration, showcasing their desire to save the opera house.
“AL&M Building Supplies is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with so many generous philanthropists donating money to restore its many ailments,” said Alison. “AL&M has gifted CHPT a $20,000 credit to be used for supplies in the restoration.”
The Stafford Opera House remains the sole flat-floored opera house still in existence in Texas. The building also hosted basketball games, boxing matches and even contained a skating rink.
Mark and Alison know very well how reconstruction can take on a life of its own, feeling a call to action to provide the support needed to tackle each project. AL&M has a long history of supporting Columbus organizations dating back to the prior owners, Mitja and Barbara Peterman. Mr. Peterman himself served for many years on the CHPT board.
“Our Columbus community has a never-ending drive to roll up their sleeves and put in the time, energy and money to preserving our local gems; from the Stafford Opera House to the Live Oak Art Center to the Zimmerscheidt School,” said Alison. “And that’s just scratching the surface. It is an honor to give back to the community we serve.”
As of this week, the campaign has raised $1.1 million. The fundraising chair believes the goal of $1.8 million is attainable and money already raised enables CHPT to move forward as quickly as possible.
