About the Theatre

The Historic Masonic Theatre: The Alleghany Highlands Center for the Performing Arts was originally constructed in 1905 as an Opera House and Masonic Hall but soon gave way in quick succession to more profitable forms of entertainment such as vaudeville, silent movies and finally “talking picture shows”. Through these various incarnations the Masonic Theatre was able to remain the oldest continuously operating theatre in the Commonwealth of Virginia until it finally closed its doors in 1987. Appalfolks of America, Inc. a local Non-profit acquired the Theatre in 1990 and managed, maintained and operated the aging facility, which had been known as the “Stonewall Theater” since 1968 when purchased by RC Theatres of Reisterstown Maryland, through 2003 when the Appalfolks Board of Directors unanimously agreed to generously donate the magnificent old structure to the Town of Clifton Forge.

The Masonic Theatre itself is a three-story Beaux Arts brick building with a plastered facade, a cove ceiling lobby and an original performance hall with stage and balcony. Steeped in local history, highlights include western movie icons Lash LaRue riding his horse down the Theatre aisle while the “King of the Cowboys” himself Roy Rogers once appeared with his wonder horse Trigger on stage. Other “Western Stars” that made the Masonic Theatre a part of their performance legacy include Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, Cowboy Bob Steele, Hopalong Cassidy and Red Ryder and Little Beaver (Robert Blake) as well as musical legends Burl Ives, The Drifters and the World Famous Count Basie Orchestra. Of course many community residents of long standing still affectionately recall a local band known as "The Merry Makers" who played for years before each theatre production. And to further emphasize the enormous impact of this turn of the century facility on the burgeoning railroad town of Clifton Forge; a furniture company actually operated from the basement of the Masonic Theatre which had been conveniently constructed along a now abandoned railroad spur and adjacent to the banks of Smith Creek which gently meanders through this idyllic mountain community.

The historic Masonic Theatre was designed by the architectural firm of Frye and Chesterman of Lynchburg, Virginia, as was the building with the heavy pressed-metal cornice right next door at 508 Main Street.

Today the Town of Clifton Forge proudly sponsors and schedules live music and theatrical performances at the Masonic throughout the year; and with help from the Commonwealth of Virginia, area businesses, nonprofits and the public at large Clifton Forge is currently in the midst of restoring the facility to its original turn of the century grandeur.

Today the Masonic Theatre is home to the Virginia Opry, The Virginia Junior Opry, the innovative STARS and STRIPES program for challenged youth and adults and remains the center piece for the “Highlands Holiday” activities that include annual seasonal and Christmas Theatre productions.


Request Use of the Historic Masonic Theatre:
If you are interested in using the facilities for a performance, please fill out and submit an Alleghany Highlands Center for the Performing Arts At the Historic Masonic Theatre application.