Bits of Eastern survive

The cupola, wood paneling, a folk-art mural, many of the auditorium’s 1,660 seats, apparently all 16 of the Art Deco/Craftsman chandeliers that hung above, hundreds of Flint Faience tiles … those were just some of the artifacts lost in old Eastern’s demolition.

Some artifacts were saved, however. Some were donated to the community.

UM-Sparrow spokesperson John Foren said that some “seats from the auditorium and several historic light fixtures” were given to the Ovation Center for Music and Arts. Eing built in downtown Lansing. 

Dominic Cochran, the Ovation Center’s founding director, said he received globe fixtures “with a map of planet earth,” and “some frosted, circular vintage fixtures from the lobby of the auditorium.”

A last-ditch effort to save the auditorium’s Art Deco chandeliers failed. They were seemingly demolished.

Foren said the flagpoles were requested by and given to Capital City Family BMX, and a large conference table was given to the Lansing School District.

Bricks are being distributed to the public, and bricks with engraved names are being saved for the planned memorial garden. The building’s 1927 cornerstone and stone arch are being saved for the memorial garden, according to Foren.

Mayor Andy Schor said today that he received about 6 square feet of limestone, about 10 square feet of brick, and two light fixtures, one of which is pictured.

Foren said the list of salvaged items was not all-inclusive.