The Ohio Theatre

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About the Ohio Theatre

Ohio Theatre Fun Facts

• Grand Opening

  The Ohio Theatre first opened its doors on March 17, 1928!

• Silent Movie Magic

  When it opened, movies didn’t have sound yet! The “Mighty Morton” organ would have played the music and sound effects during movies. Its sound pipes are actually hidden behind the fancy walls on either side of the stage. This organ is still in use today!

• Wild Decorations

  Anne Dornan, one of the first women to graduate from the Columbia School of Architecture, spent over $1 million to decorate the inside. She even went on a safari in Africa to find decorations for the “Africa Corner.”

• Super Cool

  The Ohio Theatre was the very first public building in Columbus to have air conditioning, making it the coolest place to hang out on hot summer days.

• Saved from Destruction

  The theatre closed down in 1969 and was almost destroyed! The community quickly raised over $2 million to save it, forming an organization called CAPA that still takes care of the theatre today.

• Bringing Back the Treasure

  Before the theatre was saved, its original owners sold off all the decorations. Luckily, CAPA bought every single piece back to restore it.

• A Real Treasure

  Today, the theatre is officially recognized as a national landmark and a special historic building. It is the official “State Theatre of Ohio.”

• Giant Light Fixture

  The main hanging light (chandelier) in the room is 20 feet tall — as tall as a two-story house! Every year and a half, workers use a hand crank to lower it down from the ceiling to change the lightbulbs and dust it off.

• Statue Sisters

  The two statues on either side of the stage arch have names: Eleanor and Mary!