Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Barter Theatre
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011
1. Barter Theatre Marker
Inscription.
Barter Theatre. . The Barter Theatre building was constructed about 1830 as a church, which was remodeled several times. Among the oldest theaters in America, the building hosted its first performance in 1876. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Robert Porterfield, an enterprising actor and Washington County native, created the Barter Theatre and proposed exchanging “ham for Hamlet.” The theater opened its doors on 10 June 1933; admission was “35 cents or the equivalent in victuals” to feed the actors. Many stage and screen actors, designers, and playwrights have polished their craft here. In 1946, the Barter Theatre was designated the State Theatre of Virginia.
The Barter Theatre building was constructed about 1830 as a church, which was remodeled several times. Among the oldest theaters in America, the building hosted its first performance in 1876. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Robert Porterfield, an enterprising actor and Washington County native, created the Barter Theatre and proposed exchanging “ham for Hamlet.” The theater opened its doors on 10 June 1933; admission was “35 cents or the equivalent in victuals” to feed the actors. Many stage and screen actors, designers, and playwrights have polished their craft here. In 1946, the Barter Theatre was designated the State Theatre of Virginia.
Erected 1998 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-53.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 10, 1933.
Location. 36° 42.635′ N, 81° 58.474′ W. Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 11) and Partington Place, on the right when traveling north on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Abingdon VA 24210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Barter Theatre. Barter Theatre began in 1933 with one man's idea to have patrons pay with produce and has grown today into a year-round theatre with more than 160,000 visitors each year.(Submitted on July 29, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011
2. Wide view of the Barter Theatre Marker
Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022
3. Barter Theatre Marker
Marker is on the right.
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011
4. Barter Theatre (1831)
Photographed By Mark Parker, December 5, 2023
5. Barter Theatre The State Theatre of Virginia
From the J.J. Prats Postcard Collection
6. A-6 The Barter Theatre of Virginia, Abingdon, Va
“The World Famous Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Va.”
“Founded in 1933 by Robert Porterfield, Barter
became the State Theatre of Virginia in 1946.
A non-profit organization, it now is the largest
professional company outside of New York
City. Barter Players present a full summer
season of top plays in Abingdon’s Ol’ Opera
House above, built in 1830, and then send
three companies trouping Virginia and the
nation from September through April.” Linen postcard published by the Asheville Post Card Co., Asheville, N.C.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 705 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 29, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 23, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 29, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 5. submitted on December 8, 2023, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 6. submitted on April 15, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.