Little Ryman Being Lighted Up for Easter Week

There are efforts underway to reinvigorate the Altamont Living Museum, also known by many as the "Little Ryman".

One way that will be done this week will be lighting up the stained glass windows along Main Street in the building.

The Little Ryman originally was the home of First Presbyterian Church in Altamont. When that congregation disbanded, Altamont residents repurposed the building as the Altamont Living Museum. A host of exhibits and performances resulted, but the facility has not had much use in recent years.

Much of the use has been for country music performances, hence the Little Ryman moniker in honor of Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. 

Living Museum trustees Bruce Kessler, Gerald White Jr. and Dan Lutz are working with local entertainer Elijah Doty to breathe life into the Little Ryman. To mark the effort and this special week, and the building's origin as a church house, the windows will be lighted from 7 to 10pm each night tonight through Sunday night.

Kessler said the stained glass windows are over 100 years old and have been appraised at over $100,000 each. He'd like area residents to drive by some evening this week, camera in hand, and take some photos of the windows. There's no charge, just an opportunity to view some history, as well as a new beginning for the venerable venue.