BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio theater on the rolls of the National Register of Historic Places has put the final jewel on its years-long renovation, bringing the building’s exterior in line with its meticulous interior overhaul.

The facade at the Holland Theatre in downtown Bellefontaine has been brought back to its former glory with the installation of a new marquee. The original signage, removed in the 1950s due to code changes, has been painstakingly recreated, blending historical accuracy with modern features, including LED side panels and enhanced safety elements.

The original movie palace, which opened in 1931, is termed an “atmospheric theater,” reflecting a 1920s concept that created a sense of being outside in a certain setting for audiences, the theater’s website reveals. The interior, made to reflect a Dutch town in the 1600s, is unique among atmospheric theaters in the United States.

After being split into a multiscreen cinema in the 1970s, the building deteriorated. In the late ’90s, a sixth-grade teacher, Kris Swisher, and her students began efforts to “save the Holland,” when it closed to the public and demolition was feared.

Swisher, now the Holland’s board chair, caught the attention of local preservationists who formed Logan County Landmark Preservation, Inc., which set out to restore the theater. Richard and Peggy Knowlton purchased and donated the theater to raise the Holland’s curtain again. Holland staffer Rachel Miller Moreland described to NBC4 how the theater’s transformation arrived at this point.

“In 2019, the Holland completed a years-long, multimillion-dollar restoration of the interior, complete with windmills that turn, painstakingly restored murals, and a ceiling on which stars and clouds are projected,” shared Moreland. “That process also included creating a spacious green room for performers and a modern concessions area. It seemed like it was time for the exterior to match the excitement and historical accuracy of the inside!”

According to Moreland, community support was critical in recreating the original 1931 signage on the structure. The Jeffris Family Foundation, which contributed significantly to the theater’s interior restoration, pledged a major matching grant in the campaign. Two local families donated $100,000 each, and many others, including businesses, families and individuals, gave generously. Beasley Architecture and Design of Bellefontaine also donated their services to the project.

A key moment in fundraising efforts came in June 2023 with the “Light Up the Holland Comedy Marquee Fundraiser.” The event featured comedian Dave Chappelle, who donated his time for a special performance that packed the house and fueled excitement for the project. Organizers called the evening unforgettable and credited it with helping build momentum in the final stretch of fundraising.

By September 2023, less than a year from its launch, the Holland announced that its marquee campaign was fully funded.

“This is one of the best projects in the history of the foundation,” said Thomas Jeffris, the foundation’s president. “Special thanks to [Holland board chair] Kris Swisher, who did a great job.”

Installation of the new marquee began earlier this month, with the lower section that extends over the sidewalk now in place. The vertical blade is expected to arrive soon. The Wagner Electric Sign Company of Elyria, Ohio, was tapped for the iconic sign’s construction and installation.

To celebrate the marquee’s debut, the Holland Theatre is hosting an upcoming community event in partnership with Bellefontaine’s Downtown Business Partnership. The street will be closed for live music, food trucks and DORA beverages. A private dinner inside the theater will honor major donors. The evening will culminate in the first official lighting of the marquee at sundown.