Pocahontas County Opera House facts for kids
The Pocahontas County Opera House is a special old building in Marlinton, West Virginia. It was first built in 1907 by J.G. Tilton. The main part of the building was added in 1910.
Today, it is a place where people perform music and plays. It is also a community center for everyone in the area. Over the years, it has been many things, like a newspaper office, a roller rink, and even a car dealership! A group called the Pocahontas County Opera House Foundation helps run it. They make sure it stays a fun place for the community.
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What is the Pocahontas Opera House used for?
The Opera House is a busy spot for the community. Many groups use it for dinners, meetings, and even weddings. The Foundation also holds fun music jams and movie nights. These events are for families and friends in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It is a place where people can gather and have a good time.
History of the Opera House
The Pocahontas Opera House was built in 1910 by J. G. Tilton. He was a lumber businessman and also ran a newspaper. His newspaper, the Marlinton Messenger, was even printed in the Opera House in 1912.
Marlinton was a busy railroad town back then. It was a big center for the lumber business. In the early 1900s, performers from far away, like New York, came to perform here. The Opera House also hosted County fairs, basketball games, and other community events.
Changes Over Time
As the railroad business changed, Mr. Tilton sold the building. For many years after that, it was used for different things. It was once a lumberyard and even a car dealership.
In 1991, a group called the Pocahontas County Historic Landmarks Commission bought the building. At that time, it was in rough shape. There was no floor or stage inside.
Bringing the Opera House Back to Life
With help from many people and donations, the community worked to fix it up. They restored the Opera House to how it looks today. In 1998, the Pocahontas County Opera House Foundation was started. This group now runs all the performances.
They bring in many types of music, like bluegrass, salsa, classical, and jazz. You can also see dance shows and theater plays there.
In 2021, the Opera House got a fresh new look. Workers patched up the outside walls and gave it new paint. This was done by a company that specializes in old buildings.
