Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre open for tours

Robert Buck
·2 min read

GALESBURG — In addition to The Orpheum Theatre commemorating its movie days by screening "The Sender" on Nov. 18, the theater is offering free walk-in tours of the venue at 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

The Orpheum Theatre in downtown Galesburg will open for walk-in tours at 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday during November. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)
The Orpheum Theatre in downtown Galesburg will open for walk-in tours at 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday during November. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

“All of us at The Orpheum truly respect and adore the theater, and we are honored to be able to work for such a magnificent place that has impacted so many,” said Executive Director Erin Glasnovich. “We also greatly enjoy the opportunity to show off the theatre: besides its obvious architectural beauty, its historical legacy and storied past are absolutely fascinating.” The theater’s facility manager, Ross McIntire, is the chief guide for theater tours.

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“I’ve never met someone with such a vault of memory as Ross,” Glasnovich states. “He’s catalogued away every newspaper article, first-hand account, and public record he can get his hands on (and still does). The devotion he displays to The Orpheum and excitement he exhibits on the theater tours is entirely genuine, which makes the experience that much more fun. We hope many people take us up on the invitation to visit.”

Groups, clubs, families, and classrooms are encouraged to attend. Those unable to make the walk-in tours are welcome to contact the theater to schedule a private tour. Theater tours range from 20-40 minutes, depending on group size and availability. “The builders of the Orpheum envisioned this theater as a shrine to democracy wherein everyone is welcome to share in its wonder and hospitality,” McIntire says. “We want to carry that mission into the present, and give everyone a chance to see one of Galesburg’s finest buildings up close as well as hear the tales and lore of the highs and lows of its life.” The open invitation for theatre tours leads up to a movie screening event that will mark 40 years since the theater was on the verge of being lost forever. "The Sender" will be shown at 7 p.m. Nov. 18. Find out more by visiting www.galesburgorpheum.org/thesender. Contact The Orpheum to schedule private theater tours at (309) 342-2299 Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or email info@theorpheum.org.

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Galesburg's historic Orpheum Theatre opens for tours in November