Drexel Theater
Theater and movie theater in Bexley, Ohio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Drexel Theater, also known as Drexel Theatre, is a historic Art Deco and Art Moderne theater located in Bexley, Ohio.[1][2] It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 8, 2015.[1]
Drexel Theater | |
Drexel Theater in 2006 | |
  Location within Ohio  Location within the United States | |
| Location | 2254 E Main St, Bexley, Ohio, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39.9573°N 82.9386°W |
| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | Robert R. Royce |
| Architectural style | Art Deco, Streamline Moderne |
| Website | www |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000322 |
| Added to NRHP | June 8, 2015 |
A repertory cinema, the theater frequently shows both older and newer films.[3] It became a non-profit cinema in 2011 following a leadership change. It is currently owned by the group Friends of the Drexel and managed by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts.[4]
History
Drexel Theater was originally designed by Robert R. Royce, combining the styles of Art Deco and Art Moderne.[5] It opened on December 25, 1937, and was owned by William Chesbrough, who owned multiple theaters in the area.[6] It was damaged by a lightning strike in 1949, destroying the chimney.[7]
It was leased to Jerome C. Knight in 1959.[6][8] In 1981, it was purchased by Jeff and Kathy Frank, who renovated the theater to contain three smaller screens instead of one large one.[8][4] Drexel Theater was purchased by the nonprofit group Friends of the Drexel in 2011.[9] Renovations on the theater finished in July 2016.[10] An Ohio Historical Marker was placed on the property on November 7, 2017.[11][12]