Wheeleroperahouse Apr 2026

Today, the Wheeler Opera House remains a vibrant community "living room," funded by a unique local real estate tax that ensures its preservation for future generations. Our Story | Wheeler Opera House

After the silver market crashed in 1893, Aspen entered its "Quiet Years". The Wheeler struggled to stay afloat by showing silent films until two suspicious fires broke out in November 1912.

: Since its reopening, the Wheeler has hosted legendary performers like John Denver , Lyle Lovett , and Judy Collins . It also helped launch the careers of comedians like Dave Chappelle and Bill Maher through the HBO Comedy Arts Festival. wheeleroperahouse

The building’s rebirth began in the late 1940s when Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke arrived to transform Aspen into a world-class ski resort.

: On April 23, 1889, the theater opened with the comic opera The King’s Fool . The night was so prestigious that local hat makers were overwhelmed by orders for fine millinery. Today, the Wheeler Opera House remains a vibrant

: The theater was boarded up and abandoned for nearly 30 years, eventually purchased by the City of Aspen in 1918 for just $1,155 in back taxes. Renovation & Fame (1940s–Present)

: Renowned architect Herbert Bayer led early renovations, initially keeping the fire-charred beams exposed as a minimalist design choice before a full Victorian restoration in 1984. : Since its reopening, the Wheeler has hosted

In 1888, Jerome B. Wheeler—a Civil War veteran and former president of Macy’s—invested his fortune into the booming mining town of Aspen. He commissioned the Wheeler Opera House as the town's cultural centerpiece.