Situated at 137 West Main Street in Barnesville, Ohio, this project involves the meticulous restoration of a 1924 theater with rich historical significance. Nestled within a designated historic district acknowledged by the National Register of Historic Places, the revitalization aims to faithfully reinstate the theater’s original charm. The revitalized space will host a variety of performing arts, plays, concerts, special events, and will be adaptable for movie screenings. In the autumn of 2022, MSA Design spearheaded an application to the Appalachian Community Grant Program on behalf of the Theater Company, seeking vital funding for this endeavor.
Historic Renovation
With a commitment to honoring the essence of the theater, the Barnesville State Theater Company embarked on a journey to meticulously restore the venue. Nestled within a National Historic District, the theater’s renovation was intricately guided by the need to harmonize with Barnesville’s historical character. The incorporation of historic consultants within our design team adept at navigating the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards guidelines and local architectural review boards proved invaluable, safeguarding the community from adverse impacts. This comprehensive approach ensured that the design and materials chosen for the renovation seamlessly blended with the historic village center, assuring the client of a compatible outcome. Leveraging MSA Design’s expertise in grant writing also proved advantageous for the Barnesville State Theater Company, streamlining grant submissions, renderings, architectural drawings, and historic consultation under one roof. This integrated process not only enhanced efficiency but also fostered methodical collaboration within the design team, yielding fewer errors and a more effective outcome.