Historic Paramount Chandeliers Return After 20 Year Hiatus [AUDIO]

ST. CLOUD - Two pieces of central Minnesota history, gone for over 20 years, have returned to their home.

A pair of ornate chandeliers, custom-made for the Paramount Theatre in 1921, were discovered and bought back by the Theatre in December of 2011.

The exact reason for the disappearance is unknown, but the chandeliers were taken down during large-scale renovations starting in 1987. 11 years later, a revamped Paramount Theatre reopened to the public - minus the historic chandeliers.

Tony Goddard is the Executive Director of the Paramount. He says they never knew where they ended up - until a friend tipped him off that the uniquely ornate fixtures were spotted in an old Staples opera house.

Goddard says, once he saw the chandeliers for himself, he worked with an antiques expert in the Twin Cities who suggested the chandeliers were specially designed to fit with the decor of the Theatre.

The Paramount, in partnership with local donors, raised the needed funds to buy the chandeliers back.

If you'd like to see them for yourself, you can stop by the Paramount during their open hours, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.