Follow Our Progress
June 2017 Construction is underway to make our theater handicap accessible & a venue for LIVE THEATRE, FILM, & MORE!
To see more photos and videos click HERE.
Follow us on Facebook.
205 England Street
Ashland, VA 23005
We Need Your Support!
A donation of any amount will enable us to continue to restore this architectural treasure, offer movies and community-building events, provide a fun and unique venue for private gatherings, and keep those wonderful neon lights on!
What’s Happening
News
Ashland Theater Construction Officially Underway!
After years of standing idle or underused, construction to restore the iconic Ashland Theater to its former glory, and then some, is now officially underway. The theater was donated to the Town of Ashland by Jean and A.D. Whittaker, with a $500K grant from the Virginia Department of Community Development, matched by the Town of Ashland, the million dollar plus renovation will turn an old town treasure into a new town jewel. Plans call for spacious reception and concession areas, brand new seats, new handicapped accessible bathrooms, a dramatically expanded stage, backstage changing rooms and state-of-the-art sound equipment. And more. The new As
hland Theater will re-open its doors in the early 2018.
The project has deep roots in the community. McKinney & Company, which produced the blueprints and will be the owner’s rep is headquartered in downtown Ashland. F Richard Wilton Jr, Inc Construction Company which will oversee the project is located next door to the theater. Hugh Joyce, whose company James River Air Conditioning Company, is donating much of the plumbing and electrical work, is a past President of Ashland Main Street, and Ashland resident, Chopper Dawson, of Chopper Dawson Incorporated will partner with Wilton Construction to bring the project to completion. All of these individuals and companies have given generous in-kind and discounted services so that the project will come in at or below budget.
Today marked the start of renovations at the theater with Mayor Jim Foley doing the honors with a ceremonial strike of the sledge hammer to a wall that will ultimately be removed. At the ceremony, Clark Mercer, President of the Ashland Theater Foundation, stated, “This is an exciting milestone for the Ashland Theater— this Theater belongs to the community and with the community as a partner in its renovations, we will all be proud to see this landmark return to its former glory.”
Keep Up With Our Progress! Click HERE to see our Construction Photos and Videos!
Press Release: Historic Ashland Theater Renovations to Being April 24
April 21, Ashland VA—Community members and press are invited to join the Ashland Theater Foundation for the ceremonial start of renovations on Monday morning, April 24 at 9AM. Join members of the Foundation, elected officials, and the construction team to celebrate an important milestone in restoring the iconic landmark.
Please RSVP to cotutheater@gmail.com.
Seat Sale and Packing!
Thanks to our dedicated volunteers for making our seat sale & packing day such a big success: Chopper Dawson, Clark Mercer, Jen Chambers, Caroline Cooke, Jim Foley, Alan Abbott, Connor Olin, Felix Stevens, John Hodges, Gary Robertson, Claire Abbott, Lily Abbott, Maggie Abbott, Adam Perkins, Nick Vanderburg, and Nick Thompson. We can’t do it without your help!
Going…going…GONE! Final Opportunity to Grab a Piece of Ashland History on March 11
Your last chance to own a piece of Ashland History is this Saturday, March 11!
Your last opportunity to purchase seats from the historic Ashland Theater will be this Saturday from 11 am until 2 pm.
Seats come in rows of 5 or 10 seats; due to the configuration of the seats they are sold in complete rows though can be modified (i.e. a row can be turned into one single seat). Rows are on sale for $100.
The renovation of the Ashland Theater will include new, art deco inspired seating that will be up to present-day safety and comfort standards.
This Saturday’s sale is first come, first serve. Appointments are also available by contacting the Ashland Theater Foundation at cotutheater@gmail.com.
Want a piece of Ashland history for your very own??
Own a Piece of History — Original Ashland Theater Seats on Sale this Saturday, February 25!
As part of the renovation of the historic Ashland Theater, the original seats from the theater will be put on sale beginning this Saturday, February 25. From 10AM-4PM, come tour the Ashland Theater and purchase a piece of history!
Seats come in rows of 5 or 10 seats; due to the configuration of the seats they are sold in complete rows though can be modified (i.e. a row can be turned into one single seat). Rows of 5 are on sale for $100 and rows of 10 for $150.
The renovation of the Ashland Theater will include new, art deco inspired seating that will be up to present-day safety and comfort standards.
This Saturday’s sale is first come, first serve, and please contact the Ashland Theater Foundation at cotutheater@gmail.com for more details.
Posters to benefit the Ashland Theater
Many thanks to Duane Berger for allowing us to use his photograph to benefit the Ashland Theater! By purchasing this poster you are giving a gift to the historic Ashland Theater. Posters are available for purchase in the lobby at all of our events – Cost: $15. You can order a poster – simply email cotutheater@gmail.com.
Donations Appreciated for the Ashland Theater!
The photo in this poster was created by professional photographer Duane Berger. He has graciously allowed the Ashland Theater committee to use it for fundraising. The poster is available for a donation of $15 or more! Click HERE to make a donation on-line and email cotutheater@gmail.com to arrange for pickup. Posters are also available for purchase in the lobby during our events. Check our schedule often – we have performances until September 2016. Thank you for supporting the historic Ashland Theater!
Art Deco Society of Virginia Donates over $6K to the Ashland Theater
PRESS RELEASE April 4, 2016
Ashland, VA— As this year’s benefactor of the annual Jazz Age Preservation Ball, the Ashland Theater Foundation is proud to announce the donation of $6,270 from the Art Deco Society of Virginia. In the photo below, Olivia Lloyd , president of the Art Deco Society of Richmond received an Ashland Theatre poster as a thank you for this generous donation.
Ashland Theater Foundation Board Member Jen Chambers released this statement on behalf of the Foundation: “This is a tremendous gift and we are so grateful to the Art Deco Society of Virginia for its support. Members of the Art Deco Society play a tremendous role throughout the Commonwealth in supporting preservation projects, and being their beneficiary this year just reinforces how important the Ashland Theater is to the region and the Art Deco movement. These funds will go directly to help with our restoration efforts.”
Each January, the Art Deco Society of Virginia hosts its annual Jazz Age Preservation Ball. This Roaring ’20s gala is designed to raise awareness and funds for Art Deco preservation projects in the Commonwealth. This year, the Ashland Theater, one of the most iconic structures in the Richmond metropolitan area, was named the Ball’s benefactor.
The Ball featured live music by Halley’s Hot Gumbo Swingtet, Charleston dance lessons, 50/50 raffle, a silent and live auction, and dancing. All proceeds from the Ball were donated to the Theater, including those from a replica Christmas ornament of the Theater which was raffled off as part of the live auction. Crafted by local Ashland artists Alvaro and Caroline Coronado, the original ornament hung on the Governor’s Christmas tree for the holiday season at the Executive Mansion.
Photo Above: Ashland turnout at the Jazz Preservation Ball held on January 30, 2016. Photo provided by Lynn Redmile www.LynnRedmile.com
Donated to the Town of Ashland by A.D. and Jean Whittaker in 2013, the Ashland Theater largely sat vacant for the past couple of decades, and in 2012, Preservation Virginia named the Ashland Theater one of the most endangered historic sites in the state. Since being donated to the Town of Ashland, a group of local residents have formed a community foundation in support of the Theater, and have held over 100 events with over 17,000 attendees. To find out more about the Theater, and to donate to the Foundation and see the upcoming Theater schedule, please visit http://ashlandtheatreva.org.
Gift the Gift of Movies!
Give the Gift of Movies! Purchase a Town Gift Certificate.
Ashland Town Gift Certificates can now be used at the Ashland Theater! They work just like cash. Simply present the town certificate at the Movie Box Office window. Tickets for movies are $5.00 each. Purchase any amount and this can be used at other local businesses as well. The town does a wonderful job in printing your certificate on a card that makes a perfect present! Town Hall is open from 8:30 am – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday. Click HERE for more details.
For any questions, please call 804-798-1073.