About/History of the Barter Theater

The historical Barter Theater, located within the humble town of Abingdon, VA, opened on June 10, 1933 for people to enjoy plays, ballets, backstage tours, or even to go shopping at the gift shop. The theater was founded by Robert Porterfield during the Great Depression for some comfort and enjoyment during this hard time. The reason he decided to call it the Barter Theater was because you didn’t need any money! Instead people traded livestock, milk, eggs, or produce. The Barter Theater is also known as the “State Theater of Virginia”. 

The Barter Theater publishes around 20 or more plays a year. They have the Christmas carol and that is in December. They have other classics such as Hamlet, Macbeth, Guys and Dolls, The Wizard of OZ, and Dracula. Tickets cost around $22-$153 depending on the seats and play you’re watching. The Barter Theater is the oldest running theater in the state of Virginia. There are around 672-678 seats in the Barter Theater today.

How it Helps our Community

The Barter Theater boosted our economical situation in Abingdon, VA with its ability to attract tourists from all over. It is a cultural hub and story telling center for people to come and enjoy. It also served as a place for young people to be educated on the art of Theater. The Barter theater is inclusive, accessible, and an engaging place to visit allowing the community to feel appreciated.

    FUN FACTS

1. The Barter Theater has Civil War Smuggling Tunnels. 
2. There is a jail under the stage of the Barter Theater.
3.  In the Barter Theater the seats are salvaged.
4.  There is a secret library Inside the Barter Theater
5. There was a myth about a cannonball being lodged in the wall of the Barter Theater.