The Gallery Theatre, Inc.
38 Years of Great Entertainment
Street Address: 115 W. Main Street * Ahoskie, NC 27910
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 521 * Ahoskie, NC 27910
252-332-2976 * gallerytheatre@gate811.net
Preservation of an Ahoskie Landmark
Erected on Main Street as a focal point of commercial life, the building now known as The Gallery Theatre began in 1906 as a storefront nickelodeon. in 1918 as Ahoskie grew, the storefront operation was expanded and the area now used as the lobby was built. This extension accommodated both the growing nature of railroad circuit performers who supplied near-weekly live shows such as dog acts, juggling acts, and comedians, as well as the demand for a larger town meeting place.
Eric Garrett and his father, J. R. Garrett, then began the planning of the The New Richard Theatre (circa 1927). They journeyed to Philadelphia to purchase a $30,000 pipe organ that included bellows large enough to require a double brick foundation for support. This organ has been described as "the grandest thing anywhere in this part of the state." Indiana-born Hal Lyon, who arrived in town wearing a raccoon coat and driving a Stutz Bearcat, was recruited to play the complicated instrument for the still-silent movies.
The new portion of the theatre created the L-shaped extension to the building. A balcony was added along with six false boxes along the auditorium walls, which eventually held speakers when the "talkies" came along. Also, the older portion of the building was redecorated bringing the total cost of renovation to $29,000.
The grand opening of The New Richard Theatre was held in September 1928 and featured the best films of the era as well as continuing live performances. The building itself boasted a theatre house Phoenician in concept and lobbies with a Spanish motif. The still-used, elegant ticket cage is reminiscent of the heavy Edwardian designs used by Thomas Lambe.
The theatre was again renovated during the 1940s. The stage was enlarged stage and a new proscenium arch was added. The balcony was extended and rebuilt at a steeper angle to accommodate sight lines. A ventilation system that was considered a sign of "remarkable ingenuity" was added, as well as extra entrances, stairways, and a ticket booth.
The New Richard Theatre continued showing popular films until it closed in 1962. Four years later, Chamber of Commerce and town officials began discussing what to do with the building. The options discussed were demolition to provide off-street parking or to renovate the building into a combination public library and municipal theatre. Both options were rejected, and this piece of town history remains. The building has undergone many improvements and renovations since it was first rented in 1966, but it is still a home for fine entertainment for the people of the Roanoke-Chowan area.
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