Virginia Theatre

218 E. Mt. Vernon Street,
Somerset, KY 42501

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Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 22, 2023 at 12:14 am

Here is the Virginia Theatre’s official web site.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on May 21, 2023 at 11:21 pm

Now reopened. The Virginia Theatre reopened on July 14, 2022, featuring classic films, live music, and a venue. The Virginia Theatre reopened for the first time since the Virginia Theatre’s roof collapse during a 1994 ice storm.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on August 30, 2021 at 3:30 pm

The city of Somerset has approved renovation funds. Status should be closed/renovating. https://www.cityofsomerset.com/2021/05/03/virginia-theatre-to-be-renovated-restored-as-part-of-13-million-bond-initiative/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 29, 2017 at 2:39 pm

As of 2016 plans were for a restoration.

http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/news/dsdc-announces-plan-to-restore-historic-theater/article_6425cbfa-8042-11e6-8f52-af1722048f81.html

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 29, 2017 at 2:30 pm

Mid `60’s photo added via Theo Tersteeg.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 10, 2017 at 1:55 pm

A Commonwealth Journal article about the Virginia Cinema dated September 22, 2016, says that the Downtown Somerset Development Corporation would like to restore the house, which closed in 1994, and some adjacent vacant store buildings as a multi-use public facility that could host live events as well as occasional movies.

The Virginia Theatre was built in 1922 by T. E. Jasper and was named for his daughter. The February 9, 1922, issue of Manufacturers Record had this item about the project:

“Ky., Somerset- T.E. Jasper will erect building for moving picture theater, stores and offices; cost $25,000; 58x118 f;, brick and ornamental terra cotta; built up roof; cement and tile floors; metal ceilings and doors; interior tile; wire glass; ventilators; vault lights; steam heat; electric lights; Geo L Elliott, Archt. (Lately noted).”

miamiguy
miamiguy on July 6, 2007 at 5:25 am

My aunt used to be the “ticket girl” at the Virginia Theater in Somerset. I don’t know what year she started working there (probably way before I was born), but from about 1955-59 my cousins and I saw every Randolph Scott movie that was ever made in this theater. I also remember seeing the Big E’s “Jailhouse Rock” when it first came out.

On Saturday’s the local radio station used to do a live “Man on the Street” broadcast from in front of the Virginia Theater.

This theater also had a small stage and I remember seeing at least one live show that came on between movies. Only happened once, though —it wasn’t a standard thing.

I remember my aunt saying that this theater was owned by a prominent local family, but I can’t recall the name.

There was another theater about three blocks away that I believe was called the “Kentucky Theater.” It had a black front facade that I now assume was Vitrolite.

And I also remember my uncle telling me that there was one more VERY old theater that was already gone (fire?) by the middle 1950’s that was behind the Kentucky Theater.