[3] The "Opera House" was built by William Henry Baker as a vaudeville theater.

The grand opening was on April 5, 1886, with the Alfa Norman English Opera Company performing The Bobetuian Girl.

In 1906 the theater was thoroughly reconstructed and started showing silent films along with vaudeville performances after it reopened on December 5, 1906.

[4] Stars who have visited the theater or appeared on the stage include Al St. John, Buster Keaton, Pearl White, DeWolf Hopper, Helen Hayes, Lillian Russell, Ethel Barrymore and Abbott and Costello.

[4] The building was nearly demolished in 1977 before its purchase by the Morris County Trust for Historic Preservation.