Disclosure: I received tours of these places as part of a press trip to Marietta, Ohio. All opinions are honest, my own, and may differ from yours.
If you’ve been following along with my Marietta, Ohio trip posts, you know I got to visit a lot of cool, historical places. These two fit that bill as well. I loved acting in college, and I dreamed of being an actress or a producer. Oh well, I got a couple of great kids instead. This theater made me remember those dreams. It was so beautiful and fun to hear the stories of the theatre’s past.
Peoples Bank Theatre
This is the view from the stage. I took my mark and began my soliloquy…okay, not really, but I wanted to. This theatre underwent a huge renovation just a couple of years ago, and it is gorgeous. The theatre was built in 1911 and was originally a vaudeville house. There wasn’t a big movie market back in those days….okay not at all. Later when silent movies were made, the theatre began showing them as well. You can read the full history of the Peoples Bank Theatre on their website. If you are a movie and theatre lover, you need to read it. It’s really fascinating.
The stage curtain is original to the theatre…I believe. It is very old and amazingly well-preserved for its age. I hope I look that good when I’m over 100 years old.
This is one of the original film projectors. I loved seeing it and seeing the little door where the guy who would be running the projector could sneak out of to go to the bathroom! Back in those days, he had to be running constantly back and forth between two projectors and he had to be ready to change the reels and make sure they didn’t melt either!
Isn’t this chandelier gorgeous? When I move to a castle, this is the type of chandelier I want. I’ll have to hire someone to dust for me though.
Now, Peoples Bank Theatre is more than just plays and movies. They hold so many events there! I am jealous that we don’t have this much action at our local theatre. Some of the performers they’ve had include Travis Tritt, Sandi Patty and Kathy Mattea. One of the things performers have done through the ages is autograph the walls of the dressing rooms. Check these out!
Campus Martius Museum
We had a quick stop at this museum because we were pressed for time. Like I said, there is so much to do in Marietta, you just want to squeeze in as much as possible! The next time I head to Marietta, I’ll be sure to peruse the collection for a longer time. They change exhibits frequently, so you will always be able to find something interesting to see here.
One of the very cool things on display is one of the largest artifacts at the museum: The Rufus Putnam House. I loved looking in all of the rooms to see how people lived back then. I’ve always enjoyed seeing old houses furnished in their original state.
One of the special exhibits right now is the artwork of Lilly Martin Spencer. At the time, women were supposed to stay home, right? She had 13 kids! But with her artwork, she supported the family while her husband was a stay-at-home dad!
This is all just a touch of what you can see at Campus Martius Museum in Marietta. It is definitely worth the trip if you have the time!
Follow Peoples Bank Theatre
Follow Campus Martius Museum
What a lovely theatre! Such great history. We’re heading to a local one in two months, we love the arts. Besos Sarah.
It is gorgeous! Have fun!
That theater is absolutely gorgeous. I love old theaters like this. I will definitely stop in if I make it to Marietta.
I do too! It was amazing!
That theater has so much character. I love when people make something out of the ordinary. It’s so boring to be cookie cutter.
I do too. I love the restoration!
Oh my goodness, I’d love to visit there. I’d have a blast seeing everything and taking photos.
It was so much fun!
I had a neighbor when I lived in a different state that would collect items from different theaters being torn down. He created his own theater in his basement that even has a rising organ!
That is so cool!
What a beautiful theater. It is like stepping back in time. Great to know that you were able to step back and remember how much you loved the theater. Kids are a great trade.
Yes, they are!
I would love to visit People’s Theater! There’s so much history there!
Yes, there is!
What a gorgeous theater! I love theaters that have history and that are beautifully decorated like this one.
I do too!
Thanks for so much for all background info. I love learning about the history and quirks of older building.
You’re welcome! It was a lot of fun.
That theatre is so cool and I love the history. How neat that performers have autographed the walls of the dressing rooms.
Yeah, that was really fun! If we had had more time, I’m sure we would have found more famous signatures.
This looks like a beautiful theater. I would love to learn all about its history. I will have to check it out.
It is a gorgeous place.
I love museums and they just do not make theatres like they used to. I love the history of them and the charm! What a great adventure you are on! Thanks for taking us with you! Virutally.
You’re welcome! They sure don’t make them that way. We’ve got an old one in our town, but not enough money for a complete restoration like this one had.
I enjoy theaters that have history and personality. I want a chandelier like this too.
It’s gorgeous!
The theatre is awesome. I love it, because the history behind it. Thanks for sharing. ?
It does have a gret history.
What a cool and fun theater. This is so full of history. I wish we lived closer, so we can visit.
There are so many great places out there to visit!
It such a great place! I would love to visit there. It really awesome.
Yes, it is!
The chandelier is stunning! I agree, if I ever move to a castle, I want the same one!
It will look great in our castles lol.
Its like an historical places. Its really wonderful. It will be honor to me to visit this kind of place.
Yes, it is wonderful.
W O W! That’s all I can say. That theater is absolutely stunning! I am loving all those shots that you captured to show off it’s beauty!
Thank you. It was a great trip!
This sounds like an awesome theater. It is crazy to think that the movie theaters used to use the reel films to play the movies. They constantly had to be monitored. Now the people who start the movie, have life so much easier. Thank you for sharing.
We all have life so much easier now!
I love places like this! History is so interesting, thank goodness for museums to hold and care for old items that tell a story of a certain time era : )
I agree. There is just so much to see!
It looks like you had a blast on these tours! I would love to visit this place someday. Great pics!
I did! It really was so interesting and fun.
That theatre is amazing. And that curtain, simply gorgeous! Looks like a great place to see a show.
I would love to see a live show there for sure!
Both of these attractions look like so much fun. That stage curtain is stunning, what an amazing piece of art. I love finding older places like this to visit with my kids.
I do too. It’s good to show them that movies didn’t start with them lol.
Oh wow! The theatre still looks beautiful despite it’s age! It’s really fun to visit museums and historical sites.
I know they did a super job with the renovation.
These are amazing places that you got to visit! I love visiting historical sites when I travel!
It makes it more fun to have a history attached to places you visit!
I’ve never heard of Marietta, Ohio. It’s great that you were able to tour someone new that you may have not visited prior to the trip.
It is a really cool place!