DOWAGIAC — A local history museum will conclude its popular lecture series with a look back into one of Dowagiac’s most famous former landmarks.

The Dowagiac Area History Museum will close out its 2018 spring lecture series with a presentation by David Bainbridge called “The History of the Beckwith Theatre.” The presentation will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the history museum. The program is free to museum members and $5 for non members. Children under the age of 18 will be admitted to the program free of charge.

The Beckwith Memorial Building in downtown Dowagiac opened in 1893 to honor Philo D. Beckwith, the founder of the Round Oak Stove Company. In addition to housing a theater recognized regionally as the finest theater between Chicago and Detroit, the large structure housed the Post Office, a bank, stove company offices, city council chambers and a millinery shop at the time of its opening. The structure was eventually demolished in 1966, and later, Beckwith Park was established in its place.

Bainbridge graduated from Dowagiac High School shortly before the structure was demolished and took many pictures of the demolition process. This offers him a unique perspective from which to discuss the theater, said museum director Steve Arseneau.

“This is one of those stories that still really resonates with the local residents,” Arseneau said. “[The Beckwith Theatre] is truly ‘the one that got away.’ Photos show how majestic it was inside and out, and I look forward to hearing David’s take on the building’s history.”   

Arseneau said the timing of the presentation worked out well, as the former Beckwith Theatre has been part of public discussion recently, due to the city’s planned excavation of Beckwith Park.

“[The timing is] a pure coincidence,” Arseneau said. “I’ve had this planned for about six months now. … But the timing did work out alright.”

People should attend the program not just for its timeliness, but preserving the history of Dowagiac is important, Arseneau said.

“Especially for these programs that deal specifically with Dowagiac history, these programs are a good way to learn about your community and it’s a good social interaction,” Arseneau said. “Most importantly, I think it’s a good way to learn about your community.”

Arseneau said the 2018 spring lecture series was a success and that he is happy the presentation on the Beckwith Theatre will be closing out the series.

“The presenters all did a fantastic job,” he said. “It’s been a great season. It’s really stood up to all the other ones. I’m looking forward to the next lecture series in the fall.”

For more information, visit dowagiacmuseum.info.