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Longest continuously operating entertainment venue in Kansas getting facelift
posted by
bgraciesmith
on
January 22, 2010 at 8:00 am
PHILLSBURG, KS — The Majestic Community Theatre in is listed as the longest continuous operating entertainment venue in Kansas. This theatre was opened in 1905 as the Phillipsburg Opera House. Then in 1925, owner Ralph Winship hired the Boller Brother architects to renovate the main floor which at the time housed a furniture store. Since then, this theater has been in operation.
In 2000, when the previous owners were planning on closing the doors. Phillipsburg community members rallied together. They purchased the equipment and bought this magnificent historic building for $1.00. It has been operated by community volunteers every since.
A new 3D/Digital projector was installed in the fall of 2009. This was the first phase of a three phase project. The theatre board has begun the fund raising efforts to complete phases II and III. The second phase is facade renovation which included restoring one of the original marquees. The third phase is interior restoration.
For more information join us on FaceBook or our website.
(Thanks to Bridgit G. Smith for providing the photos.)
Comments (1)
What a beautiful story! It’s great to hear about a theatre being saved by the community at large. Hope everybody continues to enjoy this majestic-looking theatre for many, many years to come.