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Colonial Arts Center

History & Renovation of the former Colonial Theatre

The Colonial Theatre was constructed in 1924 and is listed as a contributing structure in Buckhannon’s Downtown Historic District for its exterior façade. The architect is not known at this time. Under the ownership of Garland West, it was operated as the Colonial Theater from 1930-1966 and underwent two major building renovation phases. In 1966, the West’s leased the cinema to Park, Inc. of Clarksburg, WV. In the early 1970’s, Grey Barker assumed management of the cinema, and renamed it The Cinema V. Barker is a noted UFO author and enthusiast, who died in 1984. Peter Griesinger, a documentary filmmaker, also has ties to the building. In the early 1980’s the cinema was renovated into a bar. The building contains 4,400 square feet on first floor and basement, and a balcony containing 2100 square feet.

In the last few years, the building was beginning to show signs of severe deterioration both inside and out, and the future of the former theatre looked grim. Buckhannon City Council foresaw that the building would either eventually need to be demolished–potentially at the City’s expense if the building was abandoned–or another transfer of ownership might ensue with minimal repairs undertaken and a change of use not fitting with the historic downtown theme and culture.

Buckhannon City Council held a town hall meeting in March 2017 to seek input from the community about the building and its future (see the attached minutes below). Council received suggestions ranging from a venue for youth activities, performances, training, and business meetings, among others. The dominant feedback supported public purchase of the property and renovating the space for the benefit of the community.

Following the positive response to the acquisition at the town hall, the City of Buckhannon submitted a grant proposal to acquire and renovate the Colonial Theatre for historic preservation to the West Virginia Division of Culture and History in the spring of 2017. Despite heavy competition with numerous projects contending for a piece of the pie, the Colonial Theatre proposal received $102,000 in award dollars for this grant cycle. Thus far, local arts organizations have donated $5,500 toward the renovation.

The City of Buckhannon purchased the old theatre located at 48 E. Main Street in January 2017 at a cost of $60,000, significantly below the appraised value of $80,000. As of February 2018, city employees have worked approximately 1,600 hours in demolition and clean-up work, including floor replacement and roof repair, meeting the match requirements for the grant funding of $102,000. Grant funding has provided $52,000 for materials and roof repair.

In October 2017, Buckhannon Community Theatre presented a special showing of “Rocky Horror Show” at the theatre and was a big success. In 2018, ART26201 presented a Variety Show in June and the City hosted Fall Fest performances in September with a “Battle of the Bands” and Appalachian folk dancing and old-time music.

Baxa Motel

Phone: 304.472.2500

Welcome to quality lodging at the best location in Buckhannon! A special kind of hospitality combined with a lifetime of experience and pride in a ’boutique’ setting. Features include a newly renovated inn, free coffee in the lobby, non-smoking room, and a convenient location to Main Street shopping & WV Wesleyan College.

21 North Kanawha Street, Buckhannon WV

The Gaines Diner

Phone: 304-924-9359

Email: thegainesdiner@gmail.com

Half the fun is the drive out to Gaines Diner! Travel on Route 20 South, and then veer left to stay on Route 20. Drive a few miles, then turn left onto Gaines Road by the Arlington Mini Mart. Follow Gaines Road for about 3-4 miles…. You might think you missed it, but just when you might give up, you’ll see the Gaines Diner on the left, with a white fence around it!

2053 Gaines Road
Rock Cave, WV 26234

EndoSolutions Natural Health & Wellness Center

Explore your endocannabinoid system here with us! You have questions, we have information galore!

Located at 15 W Main St, Buckhannon, WV.

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SYCC Flea Market

Saturday, April 20, 2024

SYCC will be hosting a Flea Market Saturday, April 20th 8am-5pm. Anyone interested in setting up can reach us at 304-473-0145. Reserve a 10×10 space inside our gym for $25, or outside for $20. Payment must be no later than Monday, April 15.

The Outpost & Event Center

Event Center, Western Chic Boutique and Tack Shop, Auction House, and Coffee and Ice cream Shop

Located at 20 Raella Lane, Buckhannon, WV 26201

Phone Number: 304-460-1890

Email: info@outpostwv.com