Free program to explore the history of Marion’s theaters

Marion Theatre

While most residents of Marion are familiar with the Palace Theatre, some may not be aware that numerous other theatres once provided entertainment opportunities as well. Among these were the Wigwam, Grand Opera House/Ohio Theatre, State, Orpheum, and Germania Park Pavilion just to name a few.

On June 25, 2015, author Scott Hoffman will review these and many more as part of his presentation based on his recently published book A Theatre History of Marion, Ohio. America in the 1920s was ready for some fun after the devastation of World War I and the tragedy of the Spanish flu epidemic.  Marion native son Warren G. Harding had set the goal of his presidency to have a “return to normalcy.” Although vaudeville had begun a slow decline, the silent movie business was booming. Americans wanted new venues in which to be entertained. The residents of Marion were no different in their desire to see the films of stars such as Douglas Fairbanks, Greta Garbo and Charlie Chaplin in an atmosphere that was more than a bunch of chairs in a poorly-ventilated room. Movie theatres were one way to provide that opportunity.

Marion Palace Theatre under construction.

While the Grand Opera House, originally opened in 1896, provided opportunity for stage performances, and other venues such as the Bijou, Orpheum, and Princess showed movies, there was still the opportunity for a first-class venue.  V.U. Young, owner of the Young Amusement Company, decided to fill that need when he hired renowned atmospheric theatre architect John Eberson to design his movie palace in Marion.  On August 30, 1928 Marion’s Palace Theatre opened to the public. Over the next 87 years, the Palace has stood the test of time and remains a premiere venue for central Ohio entertainment.

Hoffman, using many seldom-seen photographs and information gained from hundreds of hours of research, will take his audience on a tour of Marion’s entertainment houses. Special attention will be focused on the elegant Palace Theatre and forgotten stories of its past including the construction of the theatre, a police gambling raid, and the stars who performed there.

The evening will begin at 7:00pm in the Auditorium at Heritage Hall with a welcome from Palace architect John Eberson as portrayed by Mike Perry.  Photographs and other memorabilia will also be on display. Light refreshments will be served at the end of the presentation. Hoffman’s book will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Palace Theatre.

The program is provided at no cost as a “thank you” for the community support of the Historical Society and its efforts to preserve and share the rich history of the Marion community.

For more information, contact Heritage Hall at 740-387-4255.