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Four iconic theaters join historic trail

The Granada Theater

ELKINS — Four beloved West Virginia theaters — the Shepherdstown Opera House, Granada Theater, Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center, and Elk Theater — are officially joining the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail.

This exciting development will further enhance these theaters’ reach and promotion of their cultural heritage and tourism offerings.This partnership also provides a unique platform to celebrate the rich history and vibrant future of these cherished venues.

“We are incredibly honored to have these theaters join the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail,” said Jamie Billman, Preservation Manager for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and current contact for the trail’s programming.

“We really want this trail to help create collaborations and connections between these remarkable theaters across the state and also provide valuable resources and promotional opportunities for these historic sites.”

The Trail was born in 2010 as a collaboration between the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the WV State Historic Preservation Office following the latter’s receipt of a Preserve

America Grant from the National Park Service. The West Virginia Historic Theater Trial aims to:

– Promote cultural tourism: by showcasing the state’s diverse and impressive theatrical heritage, the trail aims to attract visitors from near and far.

– Support local economies: Increased tourism will benefit local businesses, restaurants and accommodations in the communities surrounding each theater.

– Preserve and revitalize: The Trail will raise awareness of the importance of preserving these historic landmarks and encourage continued efforts to revitalize them for future generations.

The Trail’s mission is to highlight the beauty of these unique historic buildings within the state and help them provide vibrant and accessible arts centers for their communities. We hope this Trail will strengthen the arts and cultural scene throughout West Virginia.

Here is additional information on each theater:

1. Shepherdstown Opera House – Opened in 1910, the Opera House is located at 131 West German Street, Shepherdstown. It is a contributing structure to the Shepherdstown Historic District and, while originally designed as a vaudeville center, is currently used for cinema, live performances and lectures/talks.

2. Granada Theater – Opened in 1927, the Theater is located at 537 Commerce Street, Bluefield. It is contributing to the Bluefield Downtown Commercial District and while originally used as a vaudeville and movie theater, is currently used for cinema and live performances.

3. Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center – Opened in 1913, the Robinson Grand is located at 444 W. Pike Street, Clarksburg. It is contributing to the Clarksburg Downtown Historic District, and was designed and is still used for cinema, live performances and as an events venue.

4. Elk Theater – The Elk Theater was opened in 1940 and is located at 192 Main Street, Sutton. It is contributing to the Sutton Downtown Historic District. It was designed and is still used for Cinema and Live Performances.

By working together, these theaters and others already on the West Virginia Historic Theater Trail can create a thriving and vibrant cultural landscape for the state. Visit https://wvhistorictheaters.com/ to learn more.

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia currently manages the West Virginia Historic Theater Trail. The Alliance is the statewide, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation, and it also administers the Preserve WV AmeriCorps program and the West Virginia Endangered Properties List. Learn more at https://www.pawv.org.

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