Goodman Auditorium
| Goodman Auditorium | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Location | 411 South 5th Avenue, Virginia, Minnesota, United States |
| Address | 411 South 5th Avenue |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 47°31′13″N 92°32′22″W / 47.52028°N 92.53944°W |
| Current tenants | Demolished |
| Construction started | 1917 |
| Completed | 1920 |
| Inaugurated | May 1920 |
| Demolished | 2023 |
| Owner | Rock Ridge Public Schools |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Unknown |
| Known for | Historic high school performance venue |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 1,500 |
Goodman Auditorium was a 1,500-seat performance hall located inside Virginia High School in Virginia, Minnesota. For more than a century, it served as one of the Iron Range’s most iconic cultural venues, hosting concerts, musicals, community events, and nationally touring artists. Known for its exceptional acoustics and ornate interior, Goodman was often described as a “mini Carnegie Hall.”[1]
History
Construction of the auditorium began in 1917 and finished in 1920, during a period when mining wealth allowed Mesabi Iron Range communities to build ambitious public facilities. The interior featured Hartford-Saxony carpets, hand-carved woodwork, and an elaborate lighting system—details rarely found in a high school setting. A sophisticated air circulation system delivered 50,000 cubic feet of fresh air per hour, a marvel of its time.[1]
Performances and cultural role
Throughout its life, Goodman hosted countless performances—from high school band concerts to touring professionals. Notable visitors included pianist Van Cliburn, violinist Isaac Stern, the Trapp Family Singers, Spiro Malas, and the Sons of the Pioneers.[2]
Local groups like the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra and Arrowhead Concert Association regularly performed at Goodman, and it was also home to the Virginia High School A Capella Choir and generations of Virginia High School’s music, theater, and speech programs.
Final concert
The final event in Goodman’s storied history was held on May 20, 2023. It featured the world premiere of René Clausen’s *Mesabi: The Sleeping Giant*, performed by a combined choir of local students and the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra. The concert was described as both a farewell and a tribute to the space's impact on the region’s arts and education.[3]
Demolition and legacy
Goodman Auditorium was demolished in 2023 following the merger of Virginia and Eveleth-Gilbert school districts into Rock Ridge Public Schools. A new performing arts center opened at Rock Ridge High School later that year. While the original building is gone, Goodman’s legacy lives on in the thousands of students and community members who walked its stage—and in the standard it set for rural arts spaces.[4]
References
- ^ a b Lawler, Christa. "Goodnight, Goodman: Iron Range's mini Carnegie Hall hosts its last concert." *Star Tribune*, May 19, 2023. https://www.startribune.com/goodnight-goodman-iron-ranges-mini-carnegie-hall-hosts-its-last-concert/600276174
- ^ Brown, Aaron. "A new era: The Iron Range bids farewell to historic Goodman Auditorium." *MPR News*, May 9, 2023. https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/05/09/a-farewell-to-the-iron-ranges-goodman-auditorium
- ^ "Composer René Clausen wakes a ‘Sleeping Giant’ for farewell to Goodman Auditorium." *YourClassical MPR*, May 15, 2023. https://www.yourclassical.org/story/2023/05/15/rene-clausen-wakes-a-sleeping-giant-for-farewell-to-goodman-auditorium
- ^ "Iron Rangers bid farewell to historic auditorium." *Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation*, May 2023. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNIRRRB/bulletins/3699c2f