Wamego Explorations
Learn more about Wamego by following the links below:
Columbian Theatre, Museum, and Art CenterAddress:
521 Lincoln St.
Email Address: clint@columbiantheatre.com About this Exploration: The Peddicord Playhouse in the Columbian Theatre
The Columbian Theatre, Museum, and Art Center is the center of cultural activity in the Wamego area. It has been artfully restored and now hosts exhibits, performances, and special events. The Columbian Theatre was built in the late 1890's as a musical hall by businessman J.C. Rogers to house artifacts he retrieved from the 1893 World's Fair: Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The music hall was a venue for vaudeville, drama, masque balls, concerts and community events. In 1912 silent films first played The Columbian, followed by "talkies" in 1929. It remained the community's center through WWII, where hometown girls might get a glimpse of loved ones in newsreels from the battle front.
The theater closed in 1950, but was reincarnated in 1994, following a $2 million fundraiser and complete restoration.
The main floor Swogger Gallery has constantly changing art exhibits, a gift shop with local art, and additional artifacts from the World's Fair. Not to be missed in the upstairs Peddicord Playhouse are the six giant oil paintings (11 x 16 feet) which hung in the U.S. Government Building in the 1893 Fair depicting the leading economic features of the regions and trade and industry. Tours are available!
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
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Wamego Chamber of Commerce – Kara Holle, Event and Tourism Coordinator
529 Lincoln St.
Wamego, KS 66547 Phone: 785.456.7849 Wamego Chamber of Commerce – Daryn Soldan, Executive Director
529 Lincoln St.
Wamego, KS 66547 Phone: 785.456.7849 |