The Beginning

In 1926, the Pottstown, PA Theatre Company wanted a new "Flagship" theater to head up its rapidly growing chain of movie palaces. Chambersburg was chosen as the site. A local arcitect was chosen for the design and immediately the Quigly Hafer Construction Company began construction of the state-of-the-art steel and brick building.

Completed in a record time of nine months, the Capitol Theatre opened in a grand spectacular on the night of February 3, 1927. The Capitol was the newest and most technically advanced venue anywhere in the area.

Wilford Binder of Baltimore, a well known theater organist was hired to specify the requirements for the proposed theater pipe organ, something no other theater in the area would have. Although Binder had wanted a Kimball Pipe Organ, the owners and the nearby Moller Organ Co. wanted badly to install one of the new Moller Theatre Organs in the new showplace. They prevailed and, in 1927, the new 3 manual, 14 rank Moller was installed behind the beautiful gold leafed grill work covering the organ chamber. Wilford Binder commanded the console of the Magnificent Moller from opening night until 1952, undoubetedly a record tenure for any theater organist.

The Ensuing Years

The Capitol has had several owners following the years of the Pottstown Theatre Company. In 1948 the Theatre went through a major redecorating by the original artists, the Herman Brodsky Co. of Philadelphia. Air conditioning was added in 1955. Gordon and Marlene Madison of Santa Monica, CA. purchased the Capitol with the dream of restoring what had by then become an aging and decaying palace, with special emphasis on the Moller Pipe Organ.

With the advent of 8 multiplexed mini theaters in the area, the decision was made to turn the capitol into a performing arts center. The theater's large stage, with full fly capabilities made it attractive to several performing arts organizations. The organ has been totally rebuilt by members of the Cumberland Valley Theatre Organ Society, Inc.

A New Era

In September of 1996, Downtown Chambersburg, Inc. (DCI), the downtown redevelopment arm of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, purchased the theater from the Madison's with plans to convert it into a cultural arts center for the region. The purchase was made possible by a generous grant from The Wood Foundation of Chambersburg.

Renovations Accomplished

Much has been accomplished in a relatively brief period. The roof has been repaired, the stage floor has been leveled and resurfaced, and a stage extension constructed. Dressing rooms have been upgraded and a hydraulic lift installed for the organ console. In the auditorium, lighting box booms were installed, the floor was repaired and repainted, seat rows were realigned, and worn seats removed. A total of 524 new seats were installed, with eight wheelchair positions included in the configuration. The theater now holds 782 on the main floor and 70 seats in the balcony. Work in the balcony has included the reconstruction of seating platforms and repainting of balcony walls. The second floor "Gallery Room" was reconstructed and is being used for rehearsals and meetings. Wheelchair accessible restrooms have been installed on the first floor and offices constructed for use by theater management and the Chambersburg Community Theatre.

The Future

The continued success of the Capitol Theatre and Cultural Arts Center will depend heavily on an active corps of volunteers. Help is needed staffing the office, taking ticket orders, ushering, staffing the concession stand, and with building maintenance and repairs. Interested persons may contact the volunteer coordinator at 263-0202.

Capitol Theatre Center
159 South Main Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201