Multiple Marshall County Residents Looking to Restore and Preserve Historic Districts

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Despite inclement weather conditions, multiple community members ventured to Wild Rose Moon in Plymouth to attend the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council informational meeting that was held last Thursday.

According to Wythougan Valley President Kurt Garner, the meeting was held in order to inform individuals about various incentives, programs and opportunities available to business owners in historic districts.

There are 12 historic districts in Marshall County and they are sprinkled around Plymouth, Bourbon, Bremen, Argos and Culver. Continue reading →

Wythougan Valley Preservation Council to Hold Informational Meeting

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Photo provided by Wythougan Valley Preservation Council.

An informational meeting for property owners in Marshall County’s historic districts is set for next week.

The meeting is expected to deliver information on economic development benefits of historic districts, locations of these districts in the county, the value of Main Street as a model for downtown development and Bremen’s experience with the program. In addition, information on grant and tax incentive opportunities will be given.

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Phase One in Rees Theater Restoration Complete

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Phase one in restoration efforts at the Rees Theater in downtown Plymouth is now complete.

Rees Project Committee Co-Chairman Randy Danielson said VANADCO workers finished installing LED lights on the marquee just in time for Christmas. The marquee was fully lit for Christmas and they will be on during New Year’s Eve. This was the last of the repairs to the masonry façade which included the rehabilitation of the playbill cases.

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Rees Theater Project Gaining Ground

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Exterior work on the Rees Theater has started, but more funding is needed before immediate repairs can be done before the winter season.

Brent Martin from the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council and architecture firm SRKM said the roof is bulging from the south side of the building. Immediate repair is also needed indoors as a portion of the ceiling collapsed on the auditorium floor. The repair is expected to cost around $120,000. While grant money won’t be available in time for this work to be complete before November, donations are being sought of any denomination. An account has been set up at gofundme.com/reestheatre for donations as a crowdfunding effort. When you make a donation, that notification can be shared on social media to alert other community members about the opportunity to give to a community landmark event. Continue reading →

Rees Theater Project Committee to Create Business Plan

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Exterior work to rehabilitate the Rees Theater in downtown Plymouth is underway. The masonry work is going as expected as part of Phase I of the restoration project.

Wythougan Valley Preservation Council member and Rees Project Committee member Randy Danielson said they are working to create a business plan with members in a sub-committee led by Jack Davis. Those volunteers will sift through suggestions made by members of the public for the use of the theater. Danielson said suggestions have submitted in writing, through social media, and interviews with performing arts groups in the county. Additional information will be gathered from the memory tour held in March and feedback from members of service clubs. Suggestions are always welcome.

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Outdoor Project to Start Soon at the Rees Theater

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Outside work at the Rees Theater in Plymouth will be starting soon.

The Wythougan Valley Preservation Council members presented a request to the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety this week asking to block off a few parking spaces on Michigan and LaPorte Streets for a portion of the work. While the board members approved that request, the preservation council members will need to present a similar request to the Indiana Department of Transportation as Michigan Street is considered a state highway.

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Hundreds Visit Rees Theater

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The popcorn was hot and the memories were flowing at the Rees Theater this weekend. The Wythougan Preservation Council opened the doors to the iconic downtown fixture in Plymouth so residents could see the “scene”ery before renovations are complete.

Curiosity seekers both young and old enjoyed touring the facility. Lifelong Plymouth resident Wilson Gerrard knew the Rees Theater before it was the Rees Theater. He said it was Dan Manns’ Print Shop with a grocery store next door along with an Optometrist in the back of the building. He said when the theater opened it was the place to be.

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Rees Theater Memory Tour Scheduled for This Weekend

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Photo provided by Wythougan Valley Preservation Council.

Members of the Rees Theater Project Committee invite residents to embark on a Memory Tour this weekend to relive the experience of being at the movies inside the facility.

Officials say this will be the only opportunity to take a peek inside the structure before renovations to the art deco theater begin. The theater was opened by the Stewart Rees family in 1940. The theater has been an icon of the Plymouth downtown area since that time.

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Restoration Rebate Program Application Presented to Plymouth City Council

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Photo provided by Wythougan Valley Preservation Council.

The Plymouth City Council heard a proposal for a restoration rebate program application for work to be done on the Rees Theater.

Brent Martin from the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council said the council members have received proposals from C&S Masonry, Schoberg and Schoberg Painting and Vanadco Signs to do a wide range of exterior work to the building.

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Rees Theater Plans Discussed

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger
Photo provided by Wythougan Valley Preservation Council.

The Rees Theater in Downtown Plymouth may become a multi-use event space in the coming years. Randy Danielson and a growing committee of volunteers have been working with the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council on a renovation plan. Community members filled Wild Rose Moon Thursday to hear an update on the project and offer input. Continue reading →

Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Reese Theater Preservation, Other Local Landmarks

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer
Photo provided by Wythougan Valley Preservation Council.

A Plymouth landmark is a step closer to preservation. Ownership of the Rees Theater was transferred to the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council on Jan. 26. That places the building into 501c3 nonprofit status, which qualifies it for various grants and philanthropic community gifting to fund restoration efforts. Continue reading →

Nonprofit Preservation Group to Take Over Rees Theater

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger
Photo provided by Wythougan Valley Preservation Council.

The Rees Theater in Downtown Plymouth may soon be getting some upgrades. The nonprofit Wythougan Valley Preservation Council announced plans Thursday to take over the building in early 2017. The group will then work to collect private donations and secure grant funding for the building’s restoration. Continue reading →