July 29, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE

Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of
Saving Space for the Humanities: Theater and Stage Restoration of the Historic Homestake Opera House
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered Historic Homestake Opera House Society, a grant to restore, renovate and make improvements to the Historic Homestake Opera House (HHOH).  NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.  This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. § 470.  NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties.  If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects.  Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.
The proposed undertaking involves restoration, accessibility and life safety concerns in the HHOH auditorium located at 313 W Main St, Lead, SD 57754. The scope of work includes the following: rough-in HVAC systems, electrical, lighting, and other required systems in the areas that will be covered up by the ceiling construction; add hydronic heating under the balcony, auditorium floor, stage floor, and dressing rooms. Construction includes:

• fire suppression,
  
• ceiling installation,
  
• HVAC installation,
  
• fire detection in all areas,
  
• lighting, electrical,
  
• hydronic heating,
  
• structural stair and landing systems.

The HHOH is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing resource to the Lead Historic District, in the county of Lawrence, South Dakota. The HHOH was a gift to the City in 1914 from then-owner of the Homestake Gold Mine, Phoebe Hearst. The Homestake Theater was a gift to the City of Lead in 1912 from then-owner of the Homestake Gold Mine, Phoebe Hearst. Many plays, vaudevillian acts and operas were staged here. The main facing material is brown brick with masonry ornamentation. All of the latter is found in the front with four pilasters and entablature on the first floor and window surround, consoles and creating on the second. The pilasters are of the doric order and separate the three main double doors. Directly above the entrance are large rectangular windows. The entablature Is decorated with dentils and circular ornamentation. The second floor has three glass block windows with smaller clear ones in the middle and are supported by consoles. There are also four large decorated brackets which have torch lights on top. The cresting has the masks of tragedy and comedy along with swag ornamentation. The Interior has changed little since the building's erection and is of the rococo style of decoration with mural, porcelain statues, decorated hanging lamps and a great deal of colored inlays. Box seats flank the wings of the stage and the dressing rooms and prop rooms still exist. This structure houses the finest opera house in South Dakota. The building was the heart of the mining town for more than 70 years. A fire burned the theater portion in 1984 and the building sat empty for a decade. Restoration efforts began in 1998. 
On July 21, 2020, Heather Mulliner, Historic Preservation Specialist with the South Dakota State Historical Society, concurred that the project will have no adverse effect to historic properties as defined by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, conditional that the stipulation outline in the project description in the letter dated July 17, 2020 from the HHOH to the are followed.  Additionally, any activities occurring in areas not identified in your request will require the submission of additional documentation pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4. 
As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. 
Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov. 
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS IS
AUGUST 12, 2020.