Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Barter Theatre

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011

1. Barter Theatre Marker

Inscription. 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 (DHR) 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Tri-Cities Area,

in Southwest Virginia,

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stonewall Jackson Female Institute (here, next to this marker); William Rodefer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor John B. Floyd (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Barter Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crooked Road / Abingdon (within shouting distance of this marker); Martha Washington College (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Barter Stage II (within shouting distance of this marker); Abingdon (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.

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.)

Wide view of the Barter Theatre Marker image. Click for full size.

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.

Barter Theatre (1831) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011

4. Barter Theatre (1831)

Barter Theatre The State Theatre of Virginia image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 5, 2023

5. Barter Theatre The State Theatre of Virginia

A-6 The Barter Theatre of Virginia, Abingdon, Va image. Click for full size.

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 1,333 times since then and 30 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.