Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center

Last updated
Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center
The abandoned Rose Garden (once Robinson Grand) Theater in Clarksburg, West Virginia LCCN2015631634.tif
Robinson Grand, prior to renovation
Former namesRobinson Grand, Robinson Grand Theater, The Keith Grand, The Rose Garden
Location444 West Pike Street
Clarksburg, West Virginia,
United States
TypeIndoor theater
Capacity 1,150
Construction
Broke ground1912
Built1913
OpenedFebruary 7, 1913
Renovated1927, 1939, 2018
Expanded1927
Website
therobinsongrand.com
Robinson Grand
Location444 West Pike Street
Clarksburg, West Virginia,
United States
Built1912–1913
Architect Holmboe & Lafferty
Architectural style Gothic Revival
Part of Clarksburg Downtown Historic District (ID82004794)
Added to NRHPFebruary 17, 1982

The Robinson Grand is a historic theater in Clarksburg, West Virginia Rehabilitated into a modern performing arts and education center with seating for 950, 200 guest ballroom, and classrooms. In 1913, the Robinson Grand Theater opened in downtown Clarksburg. The Robinson Grand, a pioneer in its era, became the thirteenth theater in the United States to be equipped with sound technology in 1927. During its golden age, it hosted a diverse array of events, including movies, plays, wedding receptions, and the Miss West Virginia Pageant. [1]

Contents

Opening and Founders

The theater was the brainchild of the Clarksburg Amusement Company, formed the previous year by several prominent figures:

The Robinson brothers, Claude and Rube, were not new to the world of theater. Claude's journey began in Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked his way up from selling programs to managing prestigious theaters in New York City. Rube, initially based in Clarksburg, recognized the city's need for a premier entertainment venue after a fire destroyed the Grand Opera House. He convinced Claude to invest in his vision, leading to the creation of the Robinson Grand. With Claude's leadership and extensive experience, the Robinson Grand quickly became a thriving hub for Clarksburg's cultural life. Rube, meanwhile, shifted his focus to his successful advertising business, leaving Claude to manage the theater's operations. [2]

Original design and early history

The original 1913 theater structure stood proudly, with its entrance 72 feet from the street and a covered walkway leading to its welcoming doors. Designed by Robert Lafferty, president of the Clarksburg Amusement Company, and Ernest C. S. Holmboe, the architect, the theater's architectural style was heavily influenced by the then-existing George M. Cohan's Theatre in New York City.

Robinson Grand Artifacts Robinson Grand Artifacts.jpg
Robinson Grand Artifacts

The Robinson brothers, Claude and Reuben, played a key role in the design, advocating for a large stage to accommodate future expansion possibilities. A surviving photograph reveals a grand entryway with a distinctive segmented arch parapet, adorned with globe lights and a marquee showcasing current shows. Flanking the entrance were a ticket booth and a wall adorned with poster displays.

The inaugural performance at the Robinson Grand, on February 7, 1913, was a grand affair featuring Frances Starr in "The Case of Becky." As part of the reowned Keith-Albee Vaudeville circuit, the theater had acts like ventriloquist Edgar Bergen with Charlie, Jack Benny, and Amos and Andy. [3]

1927 Remodel

In 1927, the Robinson Grand underwent a significant expansion and remodel under the guidance of architect Ernest C. S. Holmboe. This year also marked the theater's entry into the exciting world of "talkies", becoming the 13th movie theater in the nation to embrace sound technology. Claude Robinson's close friendship with Albert Warner of Warner Bros. played a vital role in securing early access to this groundbreaking technology.[ citation needed ]

Local media meticulously documented the transformed theater, detailing everything from the vibrant colors of the restrooms to the meticulously designed acoustics and the spacious seating arrangements.[ citation needed ] The building's footprint expanded to encompass the entire lot, welcoming visitors with a grand canopy marquee proudly displaying "Keith Grand/ Vaudeville/Feature Pictures." This expansion also resulted in a significant increase in seating capacity, accommodating 1,500 patrons compared to the original 1,000. The Neo-Gothic architectural style dominated the exterior, showcasing a prominent trio of Gothic arched windows above the marquee and a mesmerizing vertical buttress effect achieved through terra cotta pilasters and finials. At ground level, the main entrance captivated with a wide Tudor arch, adorned with intricate terra cotta details that included trefoil arches, foliage panels, and coffers. Narrow window panes framed by Moorish arch frames gracefully spanned the storefront transoms, adding to the overall architectural grandeur.

While it lacked the characteristic starry sky ceiling, the interior was lavishly decorated in a 9th century English garden theme. Murals painted throughout the space depicted stone walls, lush greenery, rolling hills, and distant castles.[ citation needed ]

J.H. Wickstead and William G. Schulte, interior decorators from Louisville, Kentucky, were responsible for this. Unfortunately, information regarding their lives beyond their profession and location remains scarce.[ citation needed ] The mezzanine level housed a charming "Old English" lounge, reminiscent of cozy manor house rooms. A large wood-burning fireplace, a family crest, and rose and green plasterwork adorned the walls, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Newspaper descriptions also mentioned a "decorative work made to resemble a huge log" overlooking the lobby, adorned with welcoming flowers that "nodded" to patrons below.

Although still associated with the Keith vaudeville circuit, the late 1920s witnessed a shift in focus, with vaudeville acts evolving into interludes between the main attraction: captivating motion pictures. [4]

1939 Fire

The Robinson Grand faced tragedy on May 31, 1939, when a fire erupted on its roof. The flames, believed to have originated from an air-conditioning repairman's torch, swiftly spread due to dry weather conditions. While the fire ravaged the stage and auditorium, the façade and front portion of the building miraculously remained largely intact.

Claude Robinson made a promise to the residents of Clarksburg: he would rebuild the theater, making it the most modern in the state. The Robinson Grand reopened its doors on December 24, 1939, less than seven months after the fire. This "Christmas gift to Clarksburg," as the theater proudly proclaimed, was met with resounding praise and congratulatory ad campaigns from the involved contractors and suppliers.

The 1939 reconstruction, which stands today, preserved the original 1927 façade while introducing a completely new stage and auditorium designed in the Streamline Moderne style, under the guidance of architect Edward J. Wood. The interior embraced flowing, curvilinear walls adorned with a light-stained wood veneer. Large curved pilasters flanking the proscenium visually extended to the front of the house through an angled recessed wall. Similar vertical elements were used throughout the lobby for aesthetic coherence.

The balcony, another architectural element, featured a solid railing with curved steps at both the top and bottom, clearly delineating the changing levels. The mezzanine offered an open view into the lobby below, illuminated by a large, modern circular chandelier reminiscent of a 1930s microphone. Throughout the auditorium and public spaces, uplights strategically placed in circular recessed ceilings bathed the spaces in soft, reflected light. [5]

1980's Change in ownership and closing

The Robinson Grand remained a hub for moviegoers throughout the 1980s.

The Robinson Grand also served as a stage for local plays, concerts, and dance recitals.

Facing competition from suburban multiplexes by the 1980s, the Robinson Grand entered a new chapter. James LaRosa purchased the building in 1984, remodeling the interior and renaming it the Rose Garden Theater. Traces of this era are still evident today, with original wallpaper adorning the lobby, mezzanine, and restrooms, the enclosed mezzanine overlook, and mirrored panels adding a touch of elegance to the lobby.

However, the theater's usage gradually declined, ultimately leading to it closing and a period of vacancy. [6]

Notable figures in the theater's history

Claude Robinson

Claude Robinson was the proprietor of the Robinson Grand for decades, and a prominent figure in the community. He died in 1948; the local newspaper editorial described him as "one of the most popular" and "best-known, best-liked theatrical man" the region had ever seen. Claude left the control of the theater to his daughter Dorthy Robinson Lang. [7]

Marge Stout Douds

Another notable figures who left their mark on the theater's history was Marge Stout Douds, an employee who began working there in the 1920s through the 1970s and eventually became the majority owner because of her long service to the Robinson Family. Dorthy Robinson Lang, the daughter of Claude Robinson left 51% of the ownership to Douds in her will stating "In recognition of her long faithful service to my father during his lifetime and to me following his death. The remainder 49% was split between her husband Harry Lang and her cousin Richard R. Robinson. [8]

Stuart Felts

Stuart Felts was a longtime usher remembered by many.

James LaRosa

James LaRosa purchased the building in 1984, remodeling the interior and renaming it the Rose Garden Theater.

2014 Purchase by the City of Clarksburg

In 2014, the City of Clarksburg took ownership of the historic structure, embarking on a planning process to envision a compatible new life for the theater. This landmark building forms part of the Downtown Clarksburg National Register Historic District.

Through a collaborative public-private partnership, the city joined forces with The Cultural Foundation of Harrison County and other regional stakeholders to revitalize the theater into a performing arts center. This ambitious project commenced in January 2017, culminating in the grand opening of the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center in October 2018. [9]

RG Marquee 2019 Robinson grand theater and corvette.jpg
RG Marquee 2019

Scope of current remodel

The Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center has undergone a meticulous restoration project while preserving its cultural significance. The project restored the exterior, including the iconic windows, and added a new marquee featuring LED lighting and video display capabilities.

Stepping inside, one is greeted by a lobby where the original chandeliers, terrazzo flooring, water fountains, and grand staircases have been meticulously restored. Even the coved plaster ceilings and antique air diffusers in the performance hall have been preserved and enhanced with indirect lighting, showcasing their timeless beauty.

The project struck a balance between honoring the past and embracing the future. The grand proscenium design, stage, and ballroom remain untouched, along with the original flooring and decorative glass displays.

The project added modern amenities while preserving the existing structure. Two new wings house a concession area, expanded restrooms, and green room/dressing rooms with direct stage access. Additionally, the basement level now includes improved drainage and a dedicated orchestra green room.

This renovation has resulted in a performance hall that accommodates nearly 1,000 patrons. The second floor features an educational center, equipped with a prep-kitchen, a circular bar, and lounge areas.

Controversy of the cost

The total cost of the project to restore the theater was around 20 million dollars which caused a large controversy among opponents of the project. Under the leadership of Mayor Cathy Goings, the city council, and City Manager Martin Howe a large portion of the expense was paid through a combination of donations, grants, tax credits, and other public and private sources. The city also created a 1% sales tax to support this project and other projects related to economic development which was another source of criticism. A general summary of that funding is provided below. [10] [11]

Classic Projector on display at the Robinson Grand today. Robinson Grand Classic Projector.png
Classic Projector on display at the Robinson Grand today.

Grand Reopening 2018

The grand reopening was on October 20, 2018, attracting a large crowd. The ceremony featured music, speeches, performances by The Guess Who & Comedian Jay Leno, highlighting the Robinson Grand's historical significance and its continued importance as a cultural hub. [12]

The center hosts a diverse range of events, including concerts, plays, musicals, and dance performances.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarksburg, West Virginia</span> City in West Virginia, United States

Clarksburg is a city in and the county seat of Harrison County, West Virginia, United States, in the north-central region of the state. The population of the city was 16,039 at the 2020 census, making it the tenth-largest city in West Virginia. It is the principal city of the Clarksburg micropolitan area, which had a population of 90,434 in 2020. Clarksburg was named National Small City of the Year in 2011 by the National League of Cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radio City Music Hall</span> Entertainment venue in New York City

Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue and theater at 1260 Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Nicknamed "The Showplace of the Nation", it is the headquarters for the Rockettes. Radio City Music Hall was designed by Edward Durell Stone and Donald Deskey in the Art Deco style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox Theatre (Detroit)</span> Theater and former movie theater in Detroit, Michigan, US

The Fox Theatre is a performing arts center located at 2211 Woodward Avenue in Downtown Detroit, Michigan, near the Grand Circus Park Historic District. Opened in 1928 as a flagship movie palace in the Fox Theatres chain, it was at over 5,000 seats the largest theater in the city. Designed by theater architect C. Howard Crane, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanley Theater (Jersey City, New Jersey)</span> Theater in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States

The Stanley Theater at Kennedy Boulevard and Pavonia Avenue is near Journal Square in Jersey City, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith-Albee Theatre</span> United States historic place

The Keith-Albee Theatre is a performing arts center in downtown Huntington, West Virginia, United States. It was named after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Corporation, one of the leading traveling vaudeville performance companies of the early 20th century, in an effort to convince the corporation's directors to make Huntington a regular stop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orpheum Theatre (Memphis)</span> Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee

The Orpheum Theatre, a 2,308-seat venue listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, on the southwest corner of the intersection of South Main and Beale streets. The Orpheum, along with the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, compose the Orpheum Theatre Group, a community-supported nonprofit corporation that operates and maintains the venues and presents education programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Theater (Harlem)</span> Theater in Manhattan, New York

The Victoria Theater was a theater located on 125th Street in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It was designed in 1917 by Thomas W. Lamb, a notable and prolific theater architect of the era, for the Loew's Corporation. It was largely demolished in 2017, with the facade and lobby retained as part of a new mixed-use skyscraper, the tallest building in Manhattan north of Central Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atmospheric theatre</span> Type of movie theater

An atmospheric theatre is a type of movie palace design which was popular in the late 1920s. Atmospheric theatres were designed and decorated to evoke the feeling of a particular time and place for patrons, through the use of projectors, architectural elements and ornamentation that evoked a sense of being outdoors. This was intended to make the patron a more active participant in the setting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tempe Center for the Arts</span> Public venue in Arizona, US

Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) is a publicly owned performing and visual arts center in Tempe, Arizona. It opened in September 2007 and houses a 600-seat proscenium theater, a 200-seat studio theater, and a 3,500-square-foot gallery. Its Lakeside Room seats 200 people and overlooks Tempe Town Lake, with views of the Papago Buttes and Camelback Mountain.

The Capitol Theatre is a theatre operating in Rome, New York. It opened December 10, 1928 as part of the Kallet chain of movie houses, presenting first run films until it closed in 1974. After extensive renovation, the theatre re-opened in 1985 as the non-profit Capitol Civic Center, offering classic films, live theatrical performances, and concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rialto Center for the Arts</span> Performing arts center in Atlanta, Georgia

The Rialto Center for the Arts is an 833-seat performing-arts venue owned and operated by Georgia State University and located in the heart of the Fairlie-Poplar district in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The venue is home to the Rialto Series, an annual subscription series featuring national and international jazz, world music, and dance. The Rialto also routinely presents Georgia State University School of Music performances, the annual National Black Arts Festival, and many others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folly Theater</span> United States historic place

The Standard Theatre, now known as the Folly Theater and also known as the Century Theater and Shubert's Missouri, is a former vaudeville hall in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Built in 1900, it was designed by Kansas City architect Louis S. Curtiss. The theater was associated with the adjoining Edward Hotel, which was also designed by Curtiss; the hotel was demolished in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oriental Theatre (Portland, Oregon)</span> Former theater in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The Oriental Theatre was a movie theater located at 828 SE Grand Street in the East Portland commercial district of Portland, Oregon that was built in 1927. The Oriental was a 2,038-seat movie palace designed by Lee Arden Thomas and Albert Mercier. The building's exterior was in the Italian Renaissance style. The interior had an "almost surreal appearance" created by interior designer Adrien Voisin. It was built by George Warren Weatherly. Demolished in 1970, the theater was adjacent to the Weatherly Building, which remains standing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levoy Theatre</span> United States historic place

The Levoy Theatre is a 696-seat operational performing arts center located in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi Lofts and Adler Theatre</span> United States historic place

The Mississippi Lofts and Adler Theatre is an apartment building and theater complex located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places by its original name, the Hotel Mississippi and RKO Orpheum Theater. The Hotel Mississippi was listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 2005. In 2020 the complex was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City Theater (Biddeford, Maine)</span> United States historic place

BiddefordCity Theater is a year-round near 500-seat, restored Victorian opera house at 205 Main Street in Biddeford, Maine, United States. Biddeford City Theater is a non-profit, volunteer-driven, organization that produces and hosts plays, musicals, concerts, movies, music, comedy, and other artistic performances with patrons from all over New England. The mission of City Theater Associates is to foster an appreciation for the performing arts by using creative avenues to increase community involvement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RKO Keith's Theater (Flushing, Queens)</span> Former movie theater in Queens, New York

The RKO Keith's Theater was an RKO Pictures movie theater at 135-35 Northern Boulevard in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens in New York City. It was designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb and built in 1928. While the RKO Keith's had a plain three-story facade, its interior was elaborately designed in a Spanish Baroque Revival style. The theater had a square ticket lobby and an oval grand foyer, which led to the double-level auditorium. The auditorium was designed as an atmospheric theater with a blue ceiling and gilded-plaster decorations; it contained 2,974 seats across two levels. There were also four lounges and a mezzanine promenade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Crump Theatre</span> United States historic place

The Crump Theatre is located in downtown Columbus, Indiana, at 425 Third Street, is part of the Columbus Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theatre is owned by the Columbus Capital Foundation and periodically used as an event space for a variety of acts, including musicians, comedians, and paranormal investigators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waldo Hotel</span> Building in Clarksburg, West Virginia

The Waldo Hotel in Clarksburg, West Virginia was built between 1901 and 1904 by real estate developer, U.S. Senator, Congressman, judge, lawyer, and Republican Party leader Nathan Goff, Jr. Built right across from his family home which is also still standing and currently used as a library called Waldomore, and Named for his father, Waldo P. Goff. Clarksburg was experiencing a period of rapid growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by the booming coal industry. Goff Jr. saw the hotel as a way to attract new businesses and residents to the city, further solidifying its position as a regional hub. Goff Jr. was a man of considerable wealth and ambition. He envisioned the Waldo Hotel as a symbol of his own success and a testament to his family's legacy in Clarksburg. Clarksburg lacked a large, upscale hotel to accommodate its growing business traveler population and social events. The Waldo Hotel was designed to fill this gap and provide a luxurious venue for meetings, banquets, and other gatherings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernest C. S. Holmboe</span> American architect

Ernest C. S. Holmboe (1873–1954) was an American architect best known for his work in West Virginia.

References

  1. "History continued | Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center | Clarksburg, WV". Robinson Grand. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  2. "History continued | Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center | Clarksburg, WV". Robinson Grand. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  3. "History continued | Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center | Clarksburg, WV". Robinson Grand. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  4. "History continued | Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center | Clarksburg, WV". Robinson Grand. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  5. "History continued | Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center | Clarksburg, WV". Robinson Grand. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  6. "History continued | Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center | Clarksburg, WV". Robinson Grand. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  7. "The Wikipedia Library". wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  8. "The Wikipedia Library". wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  9. "Clarksburg City Council Moves Forward on Robinson Grand Theater Renovations". WBOY.com. 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  10. "Agenda Center". www.cityofclarksburgwv.com. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  11. "Case Study: Robinson Theater, Clarksburg, West Virginia (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  12. Staff, MetroNews (2018-07-24). "Leno, Guess Who announced for Robinson Grand's grand opening". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2023-12-12.

==