Drexel Theater

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Drexel Theater
Drexel Theater 320x320.jpg
Drexel Theater in 2006
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Location2254 E Main St, Bexley, Ohio, U.S.
Coordinates 39°57′26″N82°56′19″W / 39.9573°N 82.9386°W / 39.9573; -82.9386
Built1937
ArchitectRobert R. Royce
Architectural style Art Deco, Streamline Moderne
Website www.drexel.net
NRHP reference No. 15000322
Added to NRHPJune 8, 2015

Drexel Theater, also known as Drexel Theatre, is a historic Art Deco and Art Moderne theater located in Bexley, Ohio. [1] [2] It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 8, 2015. [1]

Contents

A repertory cinema, the theater frequently shows both older and newer films. [3] It became a non-profit cinema in 2011 following a leadership change. It is currently owned by the group Friends of the Drexel and managed by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts. [4]

History

Drexel Theater was originally designed by Robert R. Royce, combining the styles of Art Deco and Art Moderne. [5] It opened on December 25, 1937, and was owned by William Chesbrough, who owned multiple theaters in the area. [6] It was damaged by a lightning strike in 1949, destroying the chimney. [7]

It was leased to Jerome C. Knight in 1959. [6] [8] In 1981, it was purchased by Jeff and Kathy Frank, who renovated the theater to contain three smaller screens instead of one large one. [8] [4] Drexel Theater was purchased by the nonprofit group Friends of the Drexel in 2011. [9] Renovations on the theater finished in July 2016. [10] An Ohio Historical Marker was placed on the property on November 7, 2017. [11] [12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "NPGallery Asset Detail". National Park Service. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  2. ↑ "Six Bexley Properties on the National Register of Historic Places". Columbus Monthly. 2015-09-29. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  3. ↑ Kretler, Lara (2023-08-07). "Drexel Theatre celebrates 85 years of making reel memories". Columbus Jewish News. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  4. 1 2 Madden, Hope (2014-05-13). "Drexel Theatre Embraces History and Change". Columbus Underground. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  5. ↑ "About the Drexel Theatre". Drexel Theatre. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  6. 1 2 Hamblin, Edward. "The Drexel - Bexley's Showplace". Bexley Historical Society. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  7. ↑ Buchanan, Tyler (2023-11-15). "Franklin County History Tour: The Drexel Theatre in Bexley, Ohio". Axios. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  8. 1 2 "Drexel Theater". Bexley Public Library. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  9. ↑ Grossberg, Michael (2015-07-28). "Drexel Theatre added to National Register of Historic Places". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  10. ↑ "Drexel Theatre reopens after multi-million dollar facelift". 10TV. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  11. ↑ "Drexel Theatre to be recognized by Ohio History Connection". The Columbus Dispatch. 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  12. ↑ "The Drexel Theater Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
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