August 8th, 2024

Preservation to Educate the Next Generation: Bob Luedtke’s Story

Bob Luedtke, the Fairmont Opera House’s current board chair and a long-term board member, recently shared his passion and motivation heading into the next few years as the Fairmont Opera House faces some of its toughest times in its nearly 125 years  of existence. 

Making Memories at the Fairmont Opera House

For Bob, the Fairmont Opera House is not just a historic building—it’s a treasure trove of family memories spanning five generations. As a young child, he was introduced to the magic of the Opera House by his grandmother, and today, he continues this tradition by bringing his own grandchildren to experience its captivating performances. These strong family ties to the arts have cemented Bob’s dedication to preserving the Opera House for future generations.

A Journey of Dedication

Bob’s official involvement with the Fairmont Opera House began in 2000 when he was invited to join the board by a friend. Since then, he has served as a board member off and on for a combined total of nearly 15 years. His dedication to the Opera House is driven by a deep belief in its mission to expose the community to diverse forms of arts and entertainment.

One of Bob’s proudest achievements was orchestrating a performance by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the legendary Grammy-award-winning South African male choral group. This 2005 event, part of their tour promoting the album Long Walk to Freedom, stands as a testament to Bob’s commitment to bringing world-class, culturally enriching entertainment to Fairmont.

Facing the Challenge of Preservation

Currently, Bob serves as the board chair during one of the Opera House’s most critical periods. The ongoing capital campaign is a monumental challenge, one that Bob describes as “the biggest challenge we’ve ever faced. The other fixes we’ve done were fairly critical, but relatively easy.” The survival of the Fairmont Opera House hangs in the balance, but Bob is resolute: “It isn’t going down on my watch.”

“We seem to have a real penchant for knocking down old buildings and building something new and shiny. The rest of the world cherishes their history, but we don’t seem to around here,” he asserts. “ I try to do my part to change that thinking.” His words underscore a profound commitment to historical preservation, ensuring that the Fairmont Opera House remains a cultural cornerstone for years to come.

Community Role

This crisis underscores the importance of community involvement. Bob passionately encourages locals to contribute in any way they can: “People have either time, talent, or money to give. Right now, we need the money most, but we’ll take the time and talent.” His call to action highlights the urgency of the situation and the collective effort needed to secure the future of this historic venue.

As we navigate these challenging times, the support of the community becomes ever more critical. By investing in the Opera House, whether through donations, volunteer work, or simply attending performances, we help preserve a vital piece of our cultural heritage and ensure that future generations can create their own cherished memories within its historic walls. Reach out today to see how you can help.