HARTSBURG, Mo. -- A piece of Hartsburg history has made its way back to the 21st century. The Hartsburg Grand: A Special Event Center will host its grand opening this coming weekend after years of renovation to the late 1890s building.
Located at 30 S. Second St. in the Boone County community, the original "Hackman's Hall" is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Originally built by Samuel Hackman in 1897, the structure has at different times housed a doctor's office and drugstore, Sinclair gas station, grocery store and bicycle shop.
Now, after what proprietor Sylvia Donnelly called a four-year "epic battle between historic buildings and new codes," the completely-refurbished Hartsburg Grand will serve as a multi-use special event venue. Donnelly operates the Grand with co-owner Bill Rotts, who preliminarily began restoration after the 1993 flood.
"Our commitment as owners of these buildings was to save them and add something to our community," Donnelly said.
The Hartsburg Grand features the RiverStage theater on the second floor and the Hartsburg Grand Restaurant on the first floor. The adjacent building that previously housed the Big Muddy Tavern also offers a more casual space to the event center.
The special event center is suitable for corporate retreats and planning meetings, weddings, birthday parties and more, Donnelly said.
The Hartsburg Grand Restaurant operated seasonally from 2012-14, but currently is vacant. Customers can hire their own caterers to use the commercial kitchen, and Donnelly is seeking potential restaurateurs interested in resuming the restaurant's seasonal operation.
The grand opening is Friday and Saturday and will feature live stage showings of the play "She Weeps" at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. both days with a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday, as well as live music by Overton Landing at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday and by Celtic harpist Drew Holt at 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Grand opening events are open to the public, except for a weekend wrap party with the Flood Brothers Saturday night that requires ticket purchase.
For more information about the Hartsburg Grand, call 573-657-1414.
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