Board Marks State Theater’s 100 Years with Fundraising Campaign, Events
The Barnesville State Theater board recently launched “100 Days of Summer,” a major fundraising campaign to raise $100,000 for continued renovations of the century old building through a combination of a fund drive and special events.
The Barnesville State Theater Company is governed by a 14-member board that was formed three years ago to take ownership of the historic building and begin the difficult task of bringing it back to life. The group’s mission is “to provide diverse entertainment and education programming”.
The board has raised more than $400,000 so far from private donations and small grants. With those funds and thousands of volunteer hours of donated labor, the group has secured the building, removed 15 dumpster loads of refuse, replaced the roof, improved plumbing and drainage and reconstructed the stage.
The group recently sent out approximately 500 appeal letters to launch the campaign.
Local benefactors have pledged to match all donations—dollar for dollar— up to the first $50,000. That means every dollar donated up to that amount is doubled!
In addition to the letter campaign, theater company volunteers are getting the word out at community meetings including the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.
As part of the campaign, the group is also staging a Rummage Sale Aug. 8-9 at former Grange Hall on Shamrock Dr. Donations are currently being accepted.
The 100 Days of Summer campaign will conclude on Wednesday night of the Pumpkin Festival, Sept 24. The board will be handing out free cupcakes that night to celebrate the theater’s centennial and herald the money raised through the fund drive.
Board member Rose Grear shared that the board is gratified by the community support for this project of restoring the building. She noted it’s hard to estimate how much money the board will need to finish the whole project, but it is aiming for $1 million to complete much of the needed work.
“Most importantly, our mission is art, music and wellness for the community,” Grear said. “So very much a gift to the community.”
Monetary donations may be sent to Barnesville State Theater Company, P.O. Box 255, Barnesville, Ohio 43713. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, donations are tax deductible. More information may be found on the website.
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After the theater closed in 1969 portions of the building housed a carpet shop, thrift shop and was also used for storage.
While the building isn’t ready, the theater effort is alive and well,” board member Grear said.
Final plans include a flex space designed for the main auditorium that can be used for conferences, wedding receptions and more to continue the revenue stream. There will also be tiered seating adaptable for various uses.
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Movie Magic on Main
For a second year running, the Barnesville State Theater Company is staging a one-day downtown street festival. Proceeds from this event will also benefit the theater project.
Movie Magic on Main will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, Saturday, July 26, on West Main Street. The block will be closed off to showcase golf carts that have been decorated in the theme of the cart owner’s favorite movie. Food trucks, a band, children’s activities, a raffle, the second hot dog eating contest and a performance from Barnesville native Sam Shuman’s band highlight the event.
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