The Robinson Grand is a historic theater in Clarksburg, West Virginia, that was renovated into a performing arts and education center. The theater opened in 1913 and incorporated sound technology in 1927, becoming one of the first motion-picture theaters in the United States to do so.
The theater has been used for film screenings, stage productions, wedding receptions, and events such as the Miss West Virginia Pageant.[1] In its current configuration, the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center seats approximately 950 patrons, a reduction from the 1,500 seats created in a 1927 expansion.
Opening and Founders
The theater was established by the Clarksburg Amusement Company, which had been formed the previous year. The company’s leadership included Robert Lafferty as president; Claude Robinson, who relocated from New York to West Virginia to oversee the theater’s development, as vice president; Charles Alexander as secretary-treasurer; and Reuben “Rube” Robinson as theater manager.
Brothers Claude and Rube Robinson were theater operators with prior experience in venue management. Claude began his career in Louisville, Kentucky, and later advanced to managing theaters based in New York City. Rube, who was based in Clarksburg, sought to fill the city’s need for a new entertainment venue after a fire destroyed the Grand Opera House. Together, the Robinson brothers invested in the development of the Robinson Grand.[1]
History
The inaugural performance at the Robinson Grand, on February 7, 1913, featured actress Frances Starr in The Case of Becky. The theater was part of the Keith-Albee Vaudeville circuit, and acts hosted there included ventriloquist Edgar Bergen with Charlie, comedian Jack Benny, and Amos 'n' Andy.[1]
In 1927, it became the 13th movie theater in the nation to incorporate sound technology. According to later accounts, Claude Robinson’s relationship with Albert Warner of Warner Bros. helped the theater secure early access to sound-film technology.[citation needed]
Although the theater remained associated with the Keith vaudeville circuit, the late 1920s saw a shift in focus, with vaudeville acts evolving into interludes between the main attraction: motion pictures.[1]
On May 31, 1939, a fire erupted on the roof of the Robinson Grand. The flames, believed to have originated from an air-conditioning repairman's torch, swiftly spread due to dry weather conditions.[2] While the fire ravaged the stage and auditorium, the façade and front portion of the building remained largely intact.
Claude Robinson rebuilt the theater, making it the most modern in the state. The Robinson Grand reopened on December 24, 1939, less than seven months after the fire. This "Christmas gift to Clarksburg," as the theater proclaimed, was met with praise and congratulatory advertising campaigns from the contractors and suppliers involved.[citation needed]
Throughout the 1980s, the Robinson Grand remained a popular destination for moviegoers and hosted local plays, concerts, and dance recitals. However, as suburban multiplexes multiplied during that decade, the theater entered a new chapter. James LaRosa purchased the building in 1984, remodeling the interior and renaming it the Rose Garden Theater. The theater's usage gradually declined, ultimately leading to its closure and a period of vacancy.[3]
In 2014, the city of Clarksburg took ownership of the building and began a planning process to revitalize the theater. It now 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. The project commenced in January 2017 and culminated in the grand opening of the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center in October 2018.[4]
The grand reopening took place on October 20, 2018, attracting a large crowd. The ceremony featured music, speeches, and performances by The Guess Who and comedian Jay Leno.[5]
The center hosts a diverse range of events, including concerts, plays, musicals, and dance performances.
Architecture
The Robinson Grand was originally constructed in 1913 and substantially altered in 1927 and 1939. The building combines architectural elements from multiple periods, reflecting its original construction, a major interwar expansion, and a post-fire reconstruction.
1913
The original theater entrance was built on a recessed site approximately 72 feet from the street, with a covered walkway leading to its doors. Robert Lafferty, the president of the Clarksburg Amusement Company, worked with architect Ernest C. S. Holmboe to design the theater. The theater's architectural style was heavily influenced by George M. Cohan's Theatre in New York City. The design included a large stage to accommodate potential future expansions.
Robinson Grand Artifacts
1927
In 1927, the Robinson Grand underwent an expansion and remodel, again under the direction of Holmboe.
The building's footprint expanded to encompass the entire lot, resulting in a significant increase in seating capacity. The expanded building accommodated an additional 500 patrons, for a total of 1,500 seats.
The exterior featured Neo-Gothic architecture, including three Gothic-arched windows above the marquee and terra cotta pilasters and finials that provided vertical emphasis.
At ground level, the main entrance featured a Tudor arch, adorned with intricate terra cotta details that included trefoil arches, foliage panels, and coffers. Narrow window panes framed by Moorish arch motifs spanned the storefront transoms. A canopy marquee read "Keith Grand/ Vaudeville/Feature Pictures."
The building was decorated by J.H. Wickstead and William G. Schulte, interior decorators from Louisville, Kentucky.[citation needed] The interior was decorated in a ninth-century English garden theme. Murals painted throughout the space depicted stone walls, lush greenery, rolling hills, and castles.[citation needed] The mezzanine level housed an "Old English" lounge, reminiscent of manor house rooms.
1939
The 1939 reconstruction, which stands today, preserved the original 1927 façade while introducing a new stage and auditorium designed in the Streamline Moderne style, under the guidance of architect Edward J. Wood.[1]
1980s
The building changed ownership in 1984 and was subsequently remodeled. Original wallpaper from this period adorns the lobby, mezzanine, and restrooms. The enclosed mezzanine overlook and mirrored panels installed during this era remain in the lobby.
RG Marquee 2019
Current remodel
In 2014, the city of Clarksburg took ownership of the historic structure and embarked on a project to restore the building while preserving its historic and cultural significance. The project included restoration of the exterior, including the iconic windows, and added a new marquee featuring LED lighting and video display capabilities.
Inside the lobby, the original chandeliers, terrazzo flooring, water fountains, and grand staircases have been restored. The coved plaster ceilings and antique air diffusers in the performance hall have been preserved. The grand proscenium design, stage, and ballroom remain largely untouched, along with the original flooring and decorative glass displays.
The project also introduced modern amenities while preserving the existing structure. Two new wings house a concession area, expanded restrooms, and a green room and dressing rooms with direct stage access. Additionally, the basement level now includes improved drainage and a dedicated orchestra green room.
This renovation 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 about the cost
The total cost to restore the theater was approximately $20 million, a figure that caused 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 cost was covered through a combination of donations, grants, tax credits, and other public and private sources. The city also implemented a 1% sales tax to support this project and other economic development projects, which became another source of criticism. A general summary of that funding is provided below.[6][7]
Classic Projector on display at the Robinson Grand today.
Classic projector on display at the Robinson Grand today.
City of Clarksburg:
Issued bonds to raise $10 million for the project.
Provided $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds.
Contributed $150,000 in-kind services, including engineering and legal support.
Implemented the 1% sales tax to support this and other projects as a source of ongoing funding.
The Cultural Foundation of Harrison County:
Managed the project and contributed $2.5 million in private donations.
Secured $1 million in grants from federal and state agencies.
North Central West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center:
Provided $250,000 in brownfield cleanup funds.
Private donors:
Donated $3 million to the project through individual contributions and corporate sponsorships.
Additional funding sources:
West Virginia Division of Tourism contributed $400,000.
City of Clarksburg Urban Renewal Authority contributed $200,000.
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History contributed $50,000.
Notable figures in the theater's history
Claude Robinson
Claude Robinson was the proprietor of the Robinson Grand for decades and was a prominent figure in the community. He died in 1948; a 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 control of the theater to his daughter Dorothy Robinson Lang.[8]
Marge Stout Douds
Marge Stout Douds worked at the theater from the 1920s through the 1970s, eventually becoming the majority owner due to her longstanding service to the Robinson family. Dorothy 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 remaining 49% was split between her husband, Harry Lang, and her cousin, Richard R. Robinson.[8]
Stuart Felts
Stuart Felts was a longtime usher at the theater.
James LaRosa
James LaRosa purchased the building in 1984, remodeling the interior and renaming it the Rose Garden Theater.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
