Drexel Theater

Drexel Theater
Drexel Theater in 2006
Drexel Theater is located in Ohio
Drexel Theater
Location within Ohio
Drexel Theater is located in the United States
Drexel Theater
Location within the United States
Location2254 E Main St, Bexley, Ohio, U.S.
Coordinates39°57′26″N 82°56′19″W / 39.9573°N 82.9386°W / 39.9573; -82.9386
Built1937
ArchitectRobert R. Royce
Architectural styleArt Deco, Streamline Moderne
Websitewww.drexel.net
NRHP reference No.15000322
Added to NRHPJune 8, 2015

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]

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]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "NPGallery Asset Detail". National Park Service. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Six Bexley Properties on the National Register of Historic Places". Columbus Monthly. September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  3. ↑ Kretler, Lara (August 7, 2023). "Drexel Theatre celebrates 85 years of making reel memories". Columbus Jewish News. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Madden, Hope (May 13, 2014). "Drexel Theatre Embraces History and Change". Columbus Underground. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ "About the Drexel Theatre". Drexel Theatre. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Hamblin, Edward. "The Drexel - Bexley's Showplace". Bexley Historical Society. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  7. ↑ Buchanan, Tyler (November 15, 2023). "Franklin County History Tour: The Drexel Theatre in Bexley, Ohio". Axios. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Drexel Theater". Bexley Public Library. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  9. ↑ Grossberg, Michael (July 28, 2015). "Drexel Theatre added to National Register of Historic Places". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Drexel Theatre reopens after multi-million dollar facelift". 10TV. July 13, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Drexel Theatre to be recognized by Ohio History Connection". The Columbus Dispatch. October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  12. ↑ "The Drexel Theater Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
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