Historic Theaters and Opera Houses of Kansas

SCOPE OF WORK: Statewide Thematic Survey National Register
Multiple Property Submissions & 8 Individual Nominations
CLIENT: Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS)
COMPLETED: August 2004

Historic theaters and opera houses are found in communities throughout Kansas – from the smallest ghost towns to the largest cities. Historically, they housed a spectrum of public entertainment programs as well as community activities. Many historic theaters and opera houses survive with their original appearance, and some with even their original use, intact. Unfortunately, many others have been lost as their specialized function makes them difficult to adapt for new uses. Historic theaters are typically underutilized, are often abandoned as multiplexes proliferate, or are altered to meet a new use.

Looking for tools to stem the loss of historic theater buildings, the KSHS hired a team led by Elizabeth Rosin to conduct a comprehensive survey and nomination project for these fragile resources throughout the state. Logging over 5,000 miles on Kansas roads and visiting 100 individual communities, the survey team examined over 130 properties in every part of the state. The work identified 38 theaters as eligible for the National Register or the Kansas Historic Register and another 12 theaters as possibly eligible. The team also prepared a National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) for “Historic Theaters and Opera Houses in Kansas” and nominations for 8 individual theater properties. The survey recommendations and the MPDF will help the KSHS target resources to help preserve historic theaters and also make it easier for property owners and community groups to nominate their buildings to the National Register and to access historic tax credits to help preserve these valuable resources.


Crest Theater in Great Bend Kansas


Chief Theater in Coldwater Kansas

Work completed by Elizabeth Rosin and Kristen Otteson with
Historic Preservation Services, LLC