The Monticello Opera House, originally known as the Perkins Block, stands as a testament to Florida's rich cultural heritage. Constructed in 1890 by local entrepreneur John H. Perkins, the building was designed by renowned Southern theater architect W.R. Gunn. Gunn's expertise ensured the opera house boasted exceptional acoustics and sightlines, features that continue to be celebrated today. The structure's Romanesque Revival architecture, combined with its multifunctional design housing both commercial spaces and a grand theater, made it a centerpiece of Monticello's social and economic life.

In the early 20th century, shifts in transportation and entertainment preferences led to the opera house's decline. By the 1970s, the building faced potential demolition. However, a dedicated group of citizens formed the Monticello Opera House, Inc., securing funds to purchase and restore the historic venue. Their efforts revitalized the opera house, transforming it into a vibrant cultural hub that hosts a variety of performances and events.

In 2025, Austin Historical undertook a comprehensive restoration of the opera house's windows and doors, ensuring the preservation of its historical integrity. The project encompassed the restoration of 31 windows, including 14 original sashes and the fabrication of 38 replica sashes using rot-resistant Red Grandis wood. Each sash was meticulously crafted with mortise and tenon joinery, primed, glazed with 1/8" annealed glass, and finished with five coats of pure tung oil on the interior and premium acrylic paint on the exterior.

Additionally, three complete window units on the rear elevation were reconstructed, incorporating new jambs and sashes to match the original profiles. The restoration extended to 19 heritage doors, where existing slabs were repaired or replicated, hardware restored, and finishes applied to align with the building's historical character. Interior and exterior trims were also restored, involving the removal of deteriorated paint, repairs, and refinishing to preserve the aesthetic continuity of the opera house.

This meticulous restoration by Austin Historical not only safeguarded the structural and aesthetic elements of the Monticello Opera House but also honored its legacy as a cornerstone of Florida's cultural landscape.