I called my parents from Omaha and asked them for some sites we should see. My Pop reminded me about his grandfather who emigrated from Germany in the late 1800s. After landing here in the New World, Great Grandfather made his way across the country painting frescoes on the ceilings of various churches, theaters and opera houses. Pop told me on the phone that his grandfather had painted the ceiling of the old original opera house or theater in downtown Omaha. After some searching, only one such theater remains, The Orpheum. It’s possible he painted the ceiling of this one. But it’s more likely he painted one of the opera houses that burned down 100 years ago. Either way, it’s fun to think about and now I’ve got a research project to do over the next few months.
A nice man directed us to the Orpheum and we found it easily. I desperately wanted to get in a take a peek. No go, it was closed. But I’m definitely going to come back and take a look in person on a future trip. I also heard from a local here that there was some reconstruction done at the theater a few years back and the ceiling was almost painted over, but was saved in the nick of time by the historical society. I’m anxious to learn more.
After painting the ceiling of (whichever) theater, my great grandfather settled here in Omaha for a few years. We found his house and snapped a pic.
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