Pence Opera House 🇺🇸

You will discover a fascinating piece of Minnesota history when you learn about the Pence Opera House, formerly located at Hennepin Avenue and 2nd Street in Minneapolis. Opened on June 21, 1867, this historic three-story landmark was funded by Ohio financier John Wesley Pence and designed by architect Abraham M. Radcliffe.

While exploring its rich past, you can picture the original structure: a basement billiard parlor, first-floor shops, second-floor offices that housed Minneapolis city government officials before 1873, and a third-floor theater. The venue initially seated 700 guests, later expanding to 900 after an 1879 remodel. Notable early attendees included Governor William Marshall and Senator Alexander Ramsey, who gathered for opening night's production of The Hunchback.

As one of the Twin Cities' earliest music and performance spaces alongside the St. Paul Opera House, it hosted famed Norwegian violinist Ole Bull, vaudeville shows, and classic plays like The Rivals, Our American Cousin, and Richard III. Although the venue struggled after larger sites opened, eventually becoming a rooming house, a mission, and ultimately being razed in 1952, its story provides you with a remarkable glimpse into early Minneapolis cultural and civic life.

What to see at Pence Opera House

• Designed by architect Abraham M. Radcliffe and funded by John Wesley Pence
• Hosted prominent performers like Norwegian violinist Ole Bull and plays like Richard III
• Served as rented offices for Minneapolis city government prior to 1873
• Struck by lightning during construction, mirroring a similar strike on a local minister's church

Visiting tips

Note that the original building was razed in 1952, so you should focus on exploring the site's rich historical legacy when researching historic downtown Minneapolis.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Flexible

How to get there & what’s nearby

Pence Opera House is easy to reach on Minneapolis’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Gethsemane Episcopal Church and State Theatre. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Minneapolis travel guide.