{image1}Sealed like a tomb for nearly 70 years, Milwaukee's historic Turner Hall is conducting a vigorous campaign to unlock the potential of its once spirited and socially dynamic ballroom.
The movement to restore the dance hall was launched only recently. Ravaged by a couple of ceiling fires in 1933 and 1941, the second-floor ballroom was deemed inoperable and relegated to storage space for decades. In 2000, the vision to refine this lost treasure was tabled.
That's when The Turner Ballroom Preservation Trust was formed. Its mission, after years of discussion and debate, is to restore and preserve the original architectural and ornamental detail of the ballroom, and to re-establish it as a unique venue in the community for artistic and cultural uses.
"The thing that is holding us back right now is the facility itself," says Julian Imilkowski, the Trust's executive director. "Right now we work in conjunction with the restaurant downstairs. There are people who like using this space but there are others who physically can't until we make the upgrades."
When the wooden French-doors to the two-story ballroom first swung open in 2000, the creative juices began flowing. Seeing past all the damage to the ceiling above the elaborate stage, the rest of the 11,000-sq. ft. space is quite sound.
"We do everything in here," Imilkowski explains. "One of the programs that we focused on is called local emerging artists platform, and through that, we provide this space to the next, up-and-coming artist. These theater groups may not necessarily show at the Pabst Theater or the Milwaukee Rep. They have their own following and are very talented, but may not have the space or the money or the marketing and publicity vehicles. We've become their platform or step for what they may want to do."
In addition, the ballroom has slowly lured back a number of other events while the process of restoring its luster is being plotted.
"We've entertained fashion shows, dance groups, poetry readings, inner disciplinary groups and fundraisers," adds Imilkowski of the ballroom's versatility. "But I think this ballroom is and will be successful. In just a couple of years, we've gone from no one knowing it was available to becoming the buzz around town."
The space was used recently for some of the First Milwaukee International Film Festival's seminar presentations.
"In terms of the esthetics and the renovation, we've come to learn that the general public really likes the way this room looks," Imilkowski says. "It has a very distinctive personality. I call it 'shabby chic.' People can do what they want with it. They can make it as beautiful or as ornate as they like."
Imilkowski points to the next phase of reviving this ballroom as critical.
"We are getting ready to kick off a $2 million capital campaign," she says. "That initial investment will help us restore and update the heating system, restrooms, elevator and making the ballroom ADA accessible. It'll also help update the sound system and security system as well as cleaning and leveling the floor. We'll initially concentrate on its basic infrastructure needs."
Turner Hall's governing body is working closely with fundraising consultants at McDonald & Schaefer of Brookfield.
"They are handling the search for donors," Imilkowski adds. "Perhaps some historical societies may be interested in being donors to the fund. But the Turner Ballroom project may also cross over to art, programming and community contributors. It really crosses the board in terms of its appeal.
"Turner Hall and the ballroom is the crossroads for generations. This is where people of all age groups can come together for years and years."
The Milwaukee Turners own the building and the Ballroom Preservation Trust has a 99-year lease on the ballroom and will manage the renovation of the space.
While the funding campaign gets off the ground, Imilkowski says some work has begun. The roof has been repaired. Restoration to the decorative frescos and the cleaning of the walls is ongoing. The next step is to repair the damaged ceiling plaster. The ballroom's original artwork is also getting a facelift.
"The early discuss centered on what layer do we go down to," shares Imilkowski of the nearly 125-year-old structure? "Do we go down to the layer of the height of its youth or do we enhance its most popular era?
"Over the course of that discussion, from conversations with people who came to look at the space, the idea we came up with is why not create our own layer. Create our own space. We want to save its history, save its patina and personality while adding a new look."
Turner Hall first opened as the fitness center for the Turners, a gymnastics club. The Turners derive their name from the German word for gymnastics, "turnen."
Appropriate to its motto: "Sound Mind in a Sound Body," the Turners School of Gymnastics has been a hallmark of the organization for 150 years.
Now, the adage appears to apply to its ballroom.
For additional information about booking the ballroom or joining the fundraising campaign, call Jillian Imilkowski at (414) 272-2884. The Milwaukee Turners are located at 1034 N. 4th St. Learn more about the Milwaukee Turners by visit its Web site at www.milwaukeeturners.org.
