A narrow alleyway with brick walls on both sides leading to a theater called Turnage, with decorative lights hanging overhead and a partly cloudy sky above.

Over a century of creativity, community, and cultural legacy in the heart of Washington, NC.

History of the Turnage Theatre

&

Arts of the Pamlico

Introduction: A Living Legacy

One Building. Two Theaters. Over 100 Years of Stories.

The Turnage Theatre in downtown Washington, NC, is a rare architectural and cultural landmark that houses two distinct performance venues in a single historic building:

  • A vaudeville theater built in 1913, located upstairs and known as the "New Theater"

  • A movie palace added around 1928, marking the arrival of the “talkie” film era

Together, they reflect the dramatic shift in American entertainment from live stage shows to modern cinema, while today serving as the vibrant home of Arts of the Pamlico (AOP).

The Vaudeville Era (1913–Late 1920s)

The “New Theater”: Lights, Laughter & Local Legends

Constructed in 1913 by local entrepreneur Mr. Hodges

  • Hosted vaudeville acts, musical revues, and community performances

  • Later nicknamed the “New Theater” to reflect its prominence

  • Featured a unique upstairs design with:

    • A raked (sloped) wooden floor for better viewing

    • Original balcony, piano pit, and stage

    • Historic catwalks, curtain pulleys, and early horn speaker system

  • The main entrance included:

    • A street-level shoe store operated by Turnage in the 1930s

    • A small café and a fruit concession stand by N.E. Salleely

Fun Fact: Local lore claims that Roy Rogers rode his horse Trigger up the stairs and onto the stage—an unforgettable moment in Turnage history.

Empty, abandoned auditorium with broken equipment and debris scattered on the floor.
Interior of a building under construction with wooden frameworks, ladders, and unfinished walls.
A vintage theater poster advertising a performance by Jimmie Hodgins' Broadway Revue at Turnage Theatre in Washington, North Carolina, on November 7th, 8th, and 9th, featuring a show schedule and ticket prices.

The Movie Palace (1928–1930)

A Grand Leap into the Age of Film

Constructed at the rear of the building to reduce street noise for film screenings

  • Seating for 432 guests in a palace-style layout

  • Features inspired by NYC’s Keith-Albee Theater:

    • Sweeping balcony with wrought-iron railings

    • Opera boxes and ornate plaster ceiling rosettes

    • Two-story lobby, grand staircase, and proscenium details

  • Included stage lighting and rigging—just in case films didn’t take off!

This combination of a live-performance space and a cinematic hall under one roof is exceptionally rare and adds to the building’s architectural significance.

Old theater marquee reading 'Turnage' with performances listed, located on a historic building with multiple windows.

From Stage to Screen: The Mid-Century Years (1930s–1970s)

The Golden Age of Film at the Turnage

After the addition of the palace-style cinema in 1928, the Turnage Theatre became a cherished local movie house. From the 1930s through the 1960s, it hosted:

  • First-run feature films

  • Saturday matinees

  • Occasional live performances and school events

As vaudeville declined nationally, the Turnage adapted—shifting its focus to film while keeping the stage intact for special occasions.

In the 1950s and 60s, the building underwent updates to keep up with modern standards:

  • Air conditioning and ductwork were installed

  • Wood paneling and fabric wall coverings were added

  • Acoustic ceiling tiles were placed—covering ornate plaster details still hidden beneath today

Empty vintage theatre marquee with a sign reading 'TURNAERAGE' and decorative trim, seen from above with two people walking on the sidewalk below.

Decline and Closure (1970s–1990s)

A Cultural Pause

Closed in 1979 due to:

  • The rise of multiplex cinemas

  • Economic decline in small downtowns

  • Sat dark for nearly two decades, but remained beloved by locals

Historic brick building with neon marquee reading 'TURNAGE HAPPY HOLIDAYS' and a vertical neon sign at the center, storefront windows, and clear blue sky above.
Aerial view of a small downtown area showing a building under construction or renovation with a crane, scaffolding, and workers on the roof, in front of a larger building with a historic facade. The adjacent lot has a white roof that appears to be newly coated or replaced.

Community Restoration & Revival (1996–2014)

Rescuing a Regional Gem

1996: Community leaders form the Turnage Theater Foundation

  • 2007: Reopened after a $4M restoration effort

  • 2011: Closed again due to financial struggles

  • 2013: Purchased by the Beaufort County Arts Council for $250,000

  • 2014: Reopened under new life as the home of Arts of the Pamlico

Major restoration projects included:

  • Replacing the roof and shoring up the vaudeville structure

  • Adding HVAC, plumbing, safety, and accessibility updates

  • Preserving original architectural features wherever possible

Sign reading 'Arts of the Pamilco Connecting Art - Culture - Community' on a brick building, with a colorful mosaic art piece below the sign, partially obscured by green leaves from a nearby tree.

Arts of the Pamlico (2014–Present)

A Living Museum and Active Arts Center

Today, the Turnage Theatre is more than historic—it's a vibrant home for the arts in Eastern North Carolina.

Operated by Arts of the Pamlico (AOP), a state-designated arts council, the building now offers:

  • Live theatre, concerts, dance performances, and film screenings

  • Art exhibits across three gallery spaces

  • Youth programs, summer camps, and after-school arts education

  • Podcasts, pottery workshops, and community events

  • Space rentals for artists, educators, nonprofits, and local celebrations

Empty theater stage with red curtains, a projected screen, and empty seats in the auditorium.

Architectural Highlights

Vaudeville Theater

  • Neo-Classical Revival style with detailed brickwork and Palladian windows

  • U-shaped balcony, proscenium arch, and a sloped main floor

  • Accessed via original stairwell still visible today

Movie Palace

  • Lavish interior with decorative plaster, opera boxes, and grand lobby

  • Blend of live-performance and cinematic capabilities