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 cool old movie theater and performance hall in Pocomoke City, Maryland. It was built way back in 1927. This two-story brick building has a special inside look called Art Deco style, added in 1937. You can see this style in the shiny silver columns and cool designs on the walls. Today, the Mar-Va Theater is a busy place for live shows and events.
Contents
Discovering the Mar-Va Theater's History
The Mar-Va Theater is one of the last old buildings left from Pocomoke City's past. Its name, "Mar-Va," is a mix of "Maryland" and "Virginia." This makes sense because the theater is in Maryland, but very close to the Virginia state line!
A Look Inside: What Makes It Special?
When it first opened, the Mar-Va Theater had 720 seats. This made it the biggest theater south of Wilmington, Delaware, that had never been changed. It was once a vaudeville theater, which means 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 (who played Hopalong Cassidy), and Smiley Burnette.
The Mar-Va Theater is one of the few theaters on the shore that has a special "draw drape" curtain. The side walls still have their original gold designs. The movie projectors, added around 1943, used a special carbon arc light.
Who Built the Mar-Va Theater?
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barlett from Berlin, Maryland built the Mar-Va Theater in 1927. Building it today would probably cost around $250,000!
The Theater's Early Days and Owners
The Mar-Va Theater first opened its doors on December 1, 1927. John and Lester Fox were in charge of running the theater. J. Dawson Clarke played the piano for the old silent movies, adding music to the action on screen.
In 1949, after John Fox passed away, J. Dawson Clarke and Orville Mason bought the theater. Later, in 1967, Dawson and his wife Hattie became the owners.
How Much Did Tickets Cost?
When the theater first opened, a ticket to see a show cost only 10 cents! By the time it closed in 1993, a ticket cost $3.50. Soda pop, sold next door, also used to cost 10 cents, and popcorn was always 10 cents a bag.
A Historic Landmark: National Recognition
The Mar-Va Theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it's recognized as an important historical building that should be protected.
