STAPLES, Minn.—When Colleen Frost first purchased the historic Batcher Block Opera House over two decades ago, she had a vision. Not only did she want to preserve the history of the building itself, she wanted to share her passion for history with the community.

Located in the heart of downtown Staples, the 30,000 square-foot building takes up nearly an entire city block. Built by prominent architect Charles Batcher in 1905, it opened on Nov. 21, 1907 with a performance of Richard Mansfield's "Prince Karl" by Minnesota's Mack-Leone Company. It was the crown jewel of acoustical excellence. In its glory days, the opera house became the hub of Staples, and hosted well-known celebrities (Mickey Rooney, Clark Gable and Louie Anderson to name a few), theater troupes and musicians who performed

See Full Page