Monroe theater hoping to secure historic designation
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WOODFIELD -- The Monroe County Theatre is seeking the public's assistance -- and their memories -- to aid the theater in obtaining a historic designation.
Mick Schumacher, a county commissioner and member of the Monroe Arts Council, said the theater is applying to be listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
The endeavor is meant to help secure the downtown area as a historic district and to also preserve it in the process.
“There are a few National Register properties that are on the square now and with the discussion of removing the (traffic) islands, I’m trying to preserve the historical integrity of the downtown area. We’ve been looking at some opportunities to make the whole downtown area a historic district, including the theater,” he said.
Through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s survey of local buildings for its traffic revitalization project, it was determined that the Woodsfield road islands and several buildings in the area could potentially be designated as National Register properties. Schumacher said the designation could help preserve the islands.
In order to have the theater added to the register, it must prove its historic nature both in architecture and history. Schumacher said an architect has helped provide its historic relevance structurally. Of note, he said, is the building's age, Art Deco style and its location across the street from the courthouse -- all of which are important aspects. The theater is also hoping to add information regarding its oral history from those in the community who may have witnessed famous performers who took stage at the theater in its early years. This information could be helpful in securing its historic nature, he said.
“It’s more than just the history of the building, it’s the history of its use and the history of the people who performed there,” he said. “Having documentation of those performers will help with the register.”
The theater originally opened in 1939 and continued to provide local entertainment for residents until its closing in 1977. It was reopened in mid-2019 and has provided free entertainment to the community ever since, including showings of movies and live musical performances, most of which are now held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Schumacher said arts council members have been going through local newspaper clippings to create a comprehensive list of those who performed on the theater’s stage. Some of those they have been able to prove performed on its stage include Lester Flatts and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, Doc Williams, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Hank Snow, Pee Wee King, Wilma Lee and Tex Ritter.
“It’s been really interesting. … There’s been several people who performed (at the theater) that are in the Country Music Hall of Fame. They weren’t in the hall of fame when they performed there, but they gained notoriety later,” he said.
The ability to document these entertainers who appeared on the theater’s stage will prove beneficial in the historic register process, Schumacher said. The council continues to compile the information and hopes to submit it to the National Register of Historic Places sometime this year.
If anyone in the community can recall seeing any famous entertainers between 1940 and 1970 and would like to contribute to the theater’s oral history, they can contact the theater to relay their memories.
“If anyone has a special story or something they can remember about the theater, we’d like to include some oral history to this submission," Schumacher said.
Residents can call the theater box office at 740-213-5757 or message the Monroe County Theatre Facebook page.