Hoyt Sherman, a prominent realtor who built a hearty portion of early Des Moines, constructed a hilltop home on the outskirts of town in 1877.

“He lived there until 1900, when a group of women bought it and formed the Des Moines Women’s Club,” explains Dave Schladetzky, the executive director of the Hoyt Sherman Foundation.

With the Hoyt Sherman Place, located at 1501 Woodland Ave., as their clubhouse, the women ventured into art philanthropy and built the city’s first and second art galleries in 1904 and 1907.

Decorated with 15th century Swiss furniture and ancient china cabinets showcasing items from B.C., the galleries are as breathtaking as the theater.

Valued at $8 million, the art collection is viewed today by those fortunate enough to reserve the rooms for banquets, meetings and wedding receptions.

Behind the galleries is the dining room, where David Crosby ate pork chops a few weeks ago.

The table and chairs, purchased in 1887, are the only original furniture still in the house.

“This is the library,” Schladetzky says, amidst the end of a formal tour, “where Fritz [Jnker] and I have had many a conversation about our little adventure here.”

Entering the mezzanine outside the theater, he nonchalantly explains, “In 1925, the ladies had time and money on their hands, so they added this — a 1400-seat theater, built primarily for their club meetings.”

“Nineteen twenty-five,” he echoes as he draws the lights.

The theater, the galleries — the entire building — were given to the Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation by the Women’s Club in 1994.

The foundation, which Schladetzky heads, is working to preserve and renovate the building.

Plans to build a deeper stage, more generous dressing rooms and a new loading dock are already in the works.

Schladetzky also intends to add central air conditioning to the building.

Behind the stage rests a 1920 Steinway Grand piano, “probably worth about $50,000,” Jnker says. “Another one of the dust collectors sitting around.”

“We’re also building a terrace outside so we can do summer jazz and reggae shows,” he explains.

“In the fall, we’re going to do three or four big shows in here a month. Things that wouldn’t normally come to Des Moines,” Jnker says.

They Might Be Giants play the Hoyt Sherman Theater April 26. Tickets are still available.