Mar-Va Theater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mar-Va Theater
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The Mar-Va Theater in 2005
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 103 Market St., Pocomoke City, Maryland |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000301 |
| Added to NRHP | March 21, 1996 |
The Mar-Va Theater is a really old and cool theater in Pocomoke City, Maryland. It was built way back in 1927. The inside of the theater got a fancy new look in 1937, with a style called Art Deco. This style uses cool shapes and shiny silver columns. Today, it's a busy place where people go to watch live shows and performances.
Contents
A Look at the Mar-Va Theater's History
The Mar-Va Theater is a special part of Pocomoke City's past. Its name, "Mar-Va," tells you where it is. It's in Maryland, very close to the Virginia state line.
A Big Theater for Its Time
When it first opened, the Mar-Va Theater had 720 seats. This made it the biggest theater south of Wilmington, Delaware. What's really cool is that it hasn't been changed much since it was built!
Famous Performers and Vaudeville Shows
Long ago, the Mar-Va Theater was a vaudeville theater. This means it had live stage shows with many different acts. It had a stage, dressing rooms, and even a place for an orchestra. Many famous performers played here, including old-time cowboy stars like Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, William Boyd, and Smiley Burnette. Imagine seeing them live!
Who Built the Mar-Va Theater?
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barlett from Berlin, Maryland built the Mar-Va Theater in 1927. Building it back then would have cost a lot of money, probably around $250,000 in today's money!
Special Features of the Theater
The Mar-Va Theater has some unique features. It's one of the few theaters in the area with a special "draw drape" curtain. The side walls still have their original gold designs. The movie projectors, added around 1943, were a special type called "carbon arc."
The Balcony and Its Past
The balcony area in the theater used to have its own entrance, snack area, ticket booth, and bathroom. People often thought the seats in the balcony were the best in the whole theater.
Opening Day and New Owners
The Mar-Va Theater first opened its doors on December 1, 1927. John and Lester Fox managed the theater. J. Dawson Clarke played the piano for the silent movies, which didn't have sound yet!
Later, in 1949, J. Dawson Clarke and Orville Mason bought the theater. Then, in 1967, Dawson and his wife Hattie became the owners.
Ticket Prices Through the Years
When the theater first opened, a ticket cost only 10 cents! That's less than a quarter today. By the time it closed in 1993, a ticket cost $3.50. Soda pop next door used to be 10 cents, and popcorn was always 10 cents a bag.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its importance and history, the Mar-Va Theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it's a special building that is protected and recognized for its historical value.
