Friends of Historic Breckenridge announces ‘Encore’ campaign to expand National Theatre complex
The Friends of Historic Breckenridge, which owns the National Theatre in downtown Breckenridge, has announced a new fundraising campaign to continue the revitalization and expansion of the historic theater.
Now in its 30th year of service, the FOHB has purchased the building next to the theater – formerly known to community members as Dan’s Studio – and plans to incorporate it into the National Theatre complex. The primary use will be to adjoin and enlarge the theater’s reception area to create a “Grand Hall” that will be available to the community for various events.
To help fund the renovation, the non-profit organization has launched the “Be A Star……. The Encore” campaign.
The fundraiser’s theme makes reference to the organization’s original “Be a Star” campaign, which helped with the initial renovations to the old theater building.
The Friends of Historic Breckenridge recently purchased the former Dan’s Studio building in downtown Breckenridge with plans to expand the National Theatre. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Work on the expansion has already seen significant progress. With the assistance of the Walker Sayle Unit, the building has been gutted, and renovation efforts have been spearheaded by Mike Griffith. Additionally, the building’s façade has been restored with help from a matching grant by the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation.
The FOHB board is seeking public support to complete the project. Funds are specifically needed for:
- Installation of a new roof
- Heating and cooling systems
- Electrical and plumbing infrastructure
- Complete interior renovation
The FOHB was organized in 1995 with the mission to support the renovation of the downtown district. Its hallmark achievement is the restoration of the now-105-year-old National Theatre complex, which serves as a center for community theater, concerts, movies and dance performances.
By the mid-1990s, the former National Theatre building had fallen into a state of disrepair. It was donated to the Friends of Historic Breckenridge, and the renovation process began. (Photo Courtesy of the FOHB)
Originally built in 1920, the theater burned down a year later. It was rebuilt and saw a grand re-opening on May 20, 1921, at a cost of $100,000. At the time, it was home to the largest organ in Texas, which cost $250,000.
After decades of entertaining Breckenridge, the theater fell into disrepair in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While vacant, the roof collapsed, and the building became a weed-filled home for pigeons, according to information from FOHB.
The building received a historical main street designation and was donated to the FOHB by Joe Rex Brown and Charles Kuhn. The organization garnered public support through the original three-phase “Be a Star” campaign:
- “Raise the Roof”
- “Open the Doors”
- “It’s Showtime”
Through donations by local businesses and residents, the complex was transformed into the theater, reception hall and Mike’s Bar that are in use today.
The FOHB, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is once again calling on the community to help them reach the finish line for the “Grand Hall,” and the board wants to thank those who have already contributed to the newest chapter in the theater’s history.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be sent to: P.O. Box 1721 Breckenridge, Texas 76424
For more information, call 254-433-8299, send an email to friendsofhistoricbreckenridge@gmail.com or visit the website friendsofhistoricbreckenridge.org.
After sitting unused for many years, the roof of the old theater collapsed and the interior became a haven for weeds and pigeons. (Photo Courtesy of the FOHB)
This picture of the 2024 singer/songwriter song swap at the National Theatre shows many of the renovations that have been made in the past 30 years. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: The Friends of Historic Breckenridge has launched a fundraising campaign for the renovations of the building just east of the current National Theatre complex, pictured above on the right. The organization recently purchased the building, which was formerly known as Dan’s Studio. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
